Feasibility of sand fly control based on knowledge of sensory ecology

Abstract

Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors of multiple human pathogens but are well known for enabling transmission of Leishmania parasites, which cause leishmaniasis, the visceral form constituting a serious public health disease and a second parasitic killer in the world after malaria. Sensory ecology shapes sand fly behavior, including host seeking for a blood meal, nectar foraging, oviposition, and reproduction, which directly impacts on disease transmission. As such, knowledge of sand fly sensory ecology, including olfactory and physical (visual, tactile, thermal, and acoustic) cues, is essential to enable their exploitation in the development of novel tools for sand fly surveillance and control. A previous review discussed the chemical ecology of sand flies with a focus on plant feeding (nectar foraging) behavior. Here, we contribute to the existing literature by providing an analysis of the feasibility of using knowledge gained from studies on sand fly sensory ecology for control of the vector.