Ecology of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani in an urban area in Brazil

Objectives To study the fauna, hours of activity and seasonality of phlebotomines in forest animal habitats in the Inga Park, on the urban perimeter of the municipality of Maringa, Parana State, Brazil. Methods Phlebotomines were collected on the urban perimeter using Shannon traps from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and Falcao traps from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, on two nights per month from October 1998 to September 2000. The Shannon traps were installed close to forest animal habitats and on the banks of the Moscados stream; the Falcao traps were placed in shelters for captive birds, forest mammals and reptiles. Results The Shannon traps yielded 13,656 phlebotomines, with predominance of Lutzomyia whitmani (98.7%). The Falcao traps yielded 4,040 phlebotomines, with L. whitmani again predominating (96.3%). L. whitmani was most frequently found between 12:00 midnight and 2:00 a.m. in the Shannon traps. This species was most frequently collected in the months of August (55.1%) in the Shannon traps, and in March 1999 (19.2%), November 1999 (15.9%) and August 2000 (20.6%) in the Falcao traps. More phlebotomines were collected in Falcao traps installed in shelters for captive mammals (84.0%). Conclusion There was a clear Predominance of L. whitmani in the Inga Park. The greatest frequency of L. whitmani was in August from Shannon traps, and in March and November from Falcao traps. The peak activity of L. whitmani took place between 12:00 midnight and 2:00 a.m.