Parasitic mite on phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Fars Province, southern Iran

Background: Leishmaniasis is the most important tropical disease observed, mainly it s cutaneous form. Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are of medical and veterinary concern as they vector leishmaniasis, bartonellosis and some arboviruses causing health problems for humans and domestic animals. Fars province is an important focus of leishmaniasis in southern Iran. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the natural enemies of sandflies in the region.Objectives: The aim of this study is identification of vector parasites of leishmaniasis in this area.Materials and Methods: The samplings were carried out during 2016-2017, using sticky traps, in some areas of Fars province.Sandflies were examined under a stereomicroscope to find the ectoparasitic mites attached to them. The mites were cleared in lactophenol solution and mounted on microscope slides using Hoyer’s medium. Mite specimens were identified using a BX51 phase contrast Olympus microscope equipped with a drawing tube, identification keys and related articles. The sandflies were mounted in Puri’s medium for identification.Results: In this study, a total of 233 specimens of phlebotomine sandflies (6 species in 2 genera) were collected, comprising Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli, 1786), P. (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri (Sinton, 1928), Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) mervynae (Pringle, 1953), Se. (Se.) sintoni Pringle, 1952, Se. (Se.) theodori (Parrot 1942), Se. (Sintonius) clydei (Sinton, 1928). Among them Se. mervynae, P. papatasi and P. alexandri were infested with a new species for the world of the genus Biskratrombium (Acari: Microtrombidiidae). The new species could be separated from only another congener, B. coineaui, in microseta on Ge I entire (vs. bifid in B. coineaui), presence of eupathidia on palpal tarsus (vs. absent in B. coineaui) and some other features.Meanwhile, the mite infestation was observed on both sexes of the sandflies.Conclusion: Finding natural enemies (including parasitic mites) of vector flies could potentially provide new horizons to apply effective biocontrol agents

Keywords:

Biocontrol agents , Leishmaniasis , Mite , Parasite , vector