Ecological and faunal aspects of phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) in areas at risk of leishmaniasis transmission in Simplício Mendes, Piauí, Brazil.

Piauí is the one of the Brazilian states with the highest risk of leishmaniasis transmission. In this regard, entomological surveillance is essential to support control and monitoring measures of this disease in the region. The present study aimed to characterize the sandfly fauna, its spatial distribution, and the mapping of vector species in the municipality of Simplício Mendes, Piauí. Sandflies were collected using CDC light traps. Non-engorged females were subjected by PCR targeting Leishmania kDNA/ sandfly cacophony-gene with identification of Leishmania spp. by hsp70-PCR and sequencing, while engorged females were analyzed for blood meal using PCRtargeting the cyt-b gene. A total of 3759 sandflies were captured. The proportion of males (n = 3014) was significantly higher than that of females (n = 745) (p < 0.0001). Five species were identified: Lutzomyia longipalpis (95.7%), Evandromyia carmelinoi (3.51%), Nyssomyia whitmani (0.61%), Migonemyia migonei (0.10%), and Evandromyia lenti (0.05%). Low species diversity and dominance of Lu. longipalpis were observed, across all sampling sites and collection months, with higher abundance duringwas higher during the rainy season and under increased lunar illumination. No Leishmania spp. DNA was detected in female sandflies by PCR. Blood meal analysis was performed on 95 engorged females, with five vertebrate species identified as food sources.Vectors of L. infantum and L. braziliensis were detected, with widespread occurrence of Lu. longipalpis, indicating high socioenvironmental adaptability and the impact of anthropogenic changes on vector dynamics. The present findings may contribute to vector surveillance and control measures in Simplício Mendes, Piauí, Brazil.