Relationship between sand fly fauna and kala-azar endemicity in Bangladesh.

An entomological survey was carried out in Mymensingh district which contributes the highest incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in Bangladesh. For the first time in Bangladesh CDC miniature light trap was used for indoor collection of sand flies. A total of 726 sand fly specimens belonging to nine species, one species of the genus Phlebotomus and eight species Sergentomyia genus were collected. Phlebotomus argentipes Annaandale Brunetti made up 59.2% of the total collection. Among Sergentomyia species Sergentomyia shorttii Adler & Theodor contributed 14.4% of the total collection. Density of sand flies both vector and non-vector species were significantly higher in endemic areas than non-endemic areas.