Oviposition attractant associated with conspecific development stages of Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus sandflies (Dipt., Psychodidae)

Abstract

AbstractGravid females of Sergentomyia ingrami, S. schwetzi and Phlebotomus duboscqi were attracted to oviposit on filter papers treated with test materials obtained from their conspecific development stages. S. ingrami was also exposed to oviposit in Petri dishes baited with non‐conspecific P. duboscqi test materials. Immature and adult stages of all three species were crushed and smeared individually on filter papers and thereafter placed inside small containers for egglaying. Significantly more eggs were laid by Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus sandflies on filter papers baited with their conspecific immature and adult test materials. There was no significant difference between the number of eggs laid by S. ingrami on filter papers treated with non‐conspecific P. duboscqi test materials with those laid on their controls. It is concluded that both immature and adult development stages of sandflies have a volatile substance which attracts gravid females for egg‐laying.