New Data on Sand Flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) of the Crimean Peninsula

Abstract

Sticky traps and an aspirator were used to assess the species composition and abundance of sand flies (Phlebotominae) in 14 coastal localities and their environs on the Crimean Peninsula. Sand flies were found only in four localities: Parkovoe, Gurzuf, Sudak, and Kurortnoe. Altogether, 942 specimens of 5 species were collected: Phlebotomus papatasi (0.7%), P. similis (0.1%), P. neglectus (64.7%), P. perfiliewi (33.1%), and P. longiductus (1.4%). The highest species diversity of sand flies was observed in Kurortnoe locality where 4 species were trapped (P. similis, P. neglectus, P. perfiliewi, and P. longiductus) and also in Parkovoe locality where 3 species were trapped (P. neglectus, P. perfiliewi, and P. longiductus). Phlebotomus perfiliewi and P. neglectus were the prevalent species on the southeast and south coasts of the peninsula (94.7 and 95.8%, respectively). PCR methods are recommended for more accurate identification of sand flies from the subgenera Larroussius and Adlerius, since they are rather similar in morphological characters.