Sciopemyia sordellii in the Neotropical region: distribution, biology, and ecology.

The species Sciopemyia sordellii (Diptera, Phlebotominae) is widely distributed throughout the American continent. This raises doubts about their identity as a single biological entity and points to the occurrence of species complex. Here, we review the geographic distribution of S. sordellii in the Neotropical region, as well as data on its biology and ecology. Records were obtained from literature and from specimens deposited in biological collections. In total, 149 records were analysed, from 12 countries in America. However, after taxonomic revision, some specimens were wrongly identified as S. sordellii, especially those from Peru, putting in doubt the occurrence of the species in that country. In Brazil, it has been recorded in all five geographic regions and collected in different biomes, besides to other ecotypes such as caves. Furthermore, its presence in an anthropized environment has also been reported. Some studies have also diagnosed Leishmania DNA in S. sordellii, indicating that parasite circulation is being maintained between the reservoir hosts. The data evaluated in our study allowed us to provide updated information on the distribution of S. sordellii in America, which may be useful in the taxonomy of this species.

Publishing data to support the fight against human vector-borne diseases.

Vector-borne diseases are responsible for more than 17% of human cases of infectious diseases. In most situations, effective control of debilitating and deadly vector-bone diseases (VBDs), such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika and Chagas requires up-to-date, robust and comprehensive information on the presence, diversity, ecology, bionomics and geographic spread of the organisms that carry and transmit the infectious agents. Huge gaps exist in the information related to these vectors, creating an essential need for campaigns to mobilise and share data. The publication of data papers is an effective tool for overcoming this challenge. These peer-reviewed articles provide scholarly credit for researchers whose vital work of assembling and publishing well-described, properly-formatted datasets often fails to receive appropriate recognition. To address this, GigaScience's sister journal GigaByte partnered with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to publish a series of data papers, with support from the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Here we outline the initial results of this targeted approach to sharing data and describe its importance for controlling VBDs and improving public health.

First identification of Lutzomyia longipalpis in an area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in central Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil.

Sand flies are hematophagous dipterans and are considered vectors of the parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania, which can infect mammals, including humans, and subsequently cause leishmaniasis. Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), southern Brazil, was considered free of this disease for the last few decades. However, several autochthonous cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been recorded in different municipalities in recent years. Since 2017, cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) have been reported in the municipality of Santa Maria, located in the central region of RS. In 2021, two cases of human VL were confirmed in the city, resulting in one death. To capture the possible vectors involved in the disease transmission cycle, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) modified light traps were installed in the peridomestic residential areas. These points were situated in two city districts where cases of CVL had been reported from January 2021 to January 2022. In the 41 sample collections of sand flies, 9 specimens of Lutzomyia longipalpis were identified, confirming the municipality as an area of VL transmission, according to Brazilian sanitary standards. The spread of Leishmania spp. has been occurring efficiently, resulting in a negative impact on the One Health. This study reports the first detection of L. longipalpis in the central region of RS.

Sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) records in Acre, Brazil: a dataset.

Amazonian phlebotomine sand fly fauna is one of the most diverse in the world. The Amazon region is also the most prevalent for leishmaniasis in Brazil and South America. The state of Acre, in this region, also stands out in terms of the diversity of sand fly fauna, as well as the occurrence of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. In this context, the present dataset comprises a bibliographic review of sand fly species recorded in Acre state, Brazil. A total of 1,094 observations from material citations and two of preserved specimens are presented using 33 variables according to Darwin Core terms. The bibliographic review was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, and references cited in related scientific articles. Thus, this report will be valuable for further studies on sand flies in Acre and other Amazon states.

Culicidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha) in the southern Brazilian 'Ana Leuch Lozovei' collection, with notes on distribution and diversity.

Biological collections are important for acquiring knowledge of the biodiversity of a specific environment. Here, we organize, list and catalog adult specimens of Culicidae from the Parasitology Collection of the Basic Pathology Department at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil, and present a databank of taxonomic and collection information for each sample. Culicids were collected using different methodologies in 18 municipalities in Paraná state, between 1967 and 1999. There are 5,739 catalogued specimens, of which 4,703 (81.94%) are identified at species level, with a diversity of 100 species. Of these, 18 are new recorded samples for Paraná, and three are new for Brazil. This collection is named the Ana Leuch Lozovei Entomological Collection in honor of the 30 years Prof Lovozei dedicated to culicid study in Paraná. The collection comprises insect vectors or potential vectors, of agents causing human diseases.

Redescription of Two Psathyromyia Species (Diptera: Psychodidae), Including Description of the Female of Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi Using Molecular and Morphological Approaches.

The taxonomic identity of two species of sand flies, Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi (Le Pont, Matias, Martinez & Dujardin, 2004) and Psathyromyia runoides (Fairchild & Hertig, 1953) (Diptera, Psychodidae), was evaluated morphologically and molecularly based upon specimens collected in Brazilian states. The morphological component compared collected specimens with paratypes of Pa. runoides and Pa. pradobarrientosi and their descriptions. Phylogenetic analysis of coI sequences of Pa. pradobarrientosi showed a well-supported group distinct from Pa. runoides. Morphologically, Psathyromyia runoides and Pa. pradobarrientosi males are distinguished by characteristics of the aedeagal ducts and parameral sheath in the genitalia; females are distinguished by the number and shape of the teeth in the cibarium and by the shape of the spermathecae. Given the morphological similarity between the males and the absence of the description of the female of Pa. pradobarrientosi, it is possible that specimens previously identified as Pa. runoides in Brazil are in fact Pa. pradobarrientosi.

Use of the high-content imaging system equipment to evaluate in vitro infection by Leishmania braziliensis in response to sand fly Nyssomyia neivai saliva.

Earlier research has shown that in vivo immunization with sand fly saliva protects the host against infection by parasites of genus Leishmania, and inoculation of saliva along with Leishmania promastigotes favors infection in the host. In this study, High-Content Imaging System was used to demonstrate in vitro that sand fly saliva also promotes infection by these parasites. THP-1 cells were cultured in 96-well microplates and challenged with three strains of Leishmania braziliensis plus four dilutions of Nyssomyia neivai salivary gland extract. High-Content Imaging System equipment (Operetta CLS, Perkin Elmer) was configured to automatically count both cells and parasites inside the microplates and subsequently calculate the Infection Index (II). Results demonstrate that the extract concentration of 1 gland showed greater infection than other dilutions. These findings suggest that sand fly N. neivai saliva has potential for increasing the parasite infection, reinforcing the importance of studying its components. A new method to evaluate Leishmania infection in vitro assays was also presented, broadening this area of study.

LutzoDex™-A digital key for Brazilian sand flies (Diptera, Phlebotominae) within an Android App.

Here we present an Android mobile application (app) for the identification of Brazilian phlebotomine sand fly species. The app, which is named LutzoDex™, relies on information included in a data source with morphological and morphometrical characters. This tool can present up to seven answer options to a question. Images of morphological structures can be referenced to make identification easier, and users can see a list of possible species based on the features they report. Maps are also used to determine the geographical distribution and whether the species is incriminated or suspected as a vector of Leishmania spp. in Brazil. The app is available free of charge in both English and Portuguese in the Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=max.com.lutzodexhl=pt_BR.

Checklist of American sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae): genera, species, and their distribution.

Phlebotomine sand flies are dipteran insects of medical importance because many species are involved in the transmission of pathogens between human and non-human animals. A total of 530 American species of sand flies is presented in an updated checklist, along with their author(s) and year of publication using the classification by Galati (1995, 2003). Distribution by country is also provided.

The exotic palm Roystonea oleracea (Jacq.) O.F. Cook as a rural biotype for Rhodnius neglectus Lent, 1954, in Caçu, State of Goiás.

INTRODUCTION: Rhodnius neglectus is a triatomine that colonizes different palm species. In this study, we aimed to describe the presence of this triatomine bug in the royal palms (Roystonea oleracea) in a rural region of the State of Goiás. METHODS: Palm infestation was investigated by dissecting the palms or by using live-bait traps. RESULTS: Two palm trees were infested by R. neglectus negative for Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent for Chagas disease. In the study area, R. neglectus is frequently found in households. CONCLUSIONS: The adaptation of this species to palm trees introduced in Brazil for landscaping purposes poses another challenge for controlling the vectors of Chagas disease.

Catalogue of the type material of Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) deposited in the Instituto Evandro Chagas, Brazil.

The available type material of Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) deposited in the "Coleção de Flebotomíneos" of the Instituto Evandro Chagas (ColFleb IEC) is now presented in an annotated catalogue comprising a total of 121 type specimens belonging to 12 species as follow: Nyssomyia richardwardi (2 female paratypes), Nyssomyia shawi (9 male and 25 female paratypes), Nyssomyia umbratilis (female holotype and 1 female paratype), Nyssomyia yuilli yuilli (1 male and 1 female paratypes), Pintomyia gruta (1 male and 2 female paratypes), Psychodopygus lainsoni (2 male syntypes), Psychodopygus leonidasdeanei (male holotype, female "allotype" and 45 female paratypes), Psychodopygus llanosmartinsi (2 female paratypes), Psychodopygus wellcomei (1 male and 4 female "syntypes"), Trichophoromyia readyi (male holotype, female "allotype" and 1 male paratype), Trichophoromyia adelsonsouzai (male holotype, 13 male 5 female paratypes), and Trichophoromyia brachipyga (1 male paratype).

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the State of Pernambuco.

INTRODUCTION: Phlebotomine sand flies are small insects of great medical relevance. This article presents an updated list of the phlebotomine sand flies occurring in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: A review of literature published since the 1940s up to May 2010 was conducted and voucher material deposited in reference collections were studied. RESULTS: A total of 37 phlebotomine species have previously been reported as occurring in Pernambuco, but the record of six species needs confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides an updated list of phlebotomine sand flies of Pernambuco, with some notes on their taxonomy, ecology, distribution and epidemiological relevance.

[Evaluation of the HP trap baited with different release rates of octenol for capturing anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae) in Brejo do Mutambal, municipality of Varzelândia, State of Minas Gerais]. / Avaliação da armadilha HP iscada com diferentes taxas de liberação de octenol na captura de anofelinos (Diptera: Culicidae) em Brejo do Mutambal, Município de Varzelândia, Estado de Minas Gerais.

To evaluate the role of octenol in collecting anophelines, HP traps baited with different rates of evaporation. A total of 285 anophelines was captured and there was no significant difference in the numbers of anophelines captured between the control traps and the traps baited with octenol and no difference between the release rates.