Ecology of Sergentomyia garnhami, (Diptera:Psychodidae) in a kala-azar endemic area of Tseikuru, Kitui District, Kenya. I: The breeding sites.

The breeding sites of S. garnhami and other phlebotomine sandflies were investigated from February 1989-June 1990. Sandflies were recovered from 15 out of the 17 ecological habitats studied while S. garnhami was recovered from fourteen. Termite hills were the most preferred breeding sites for most phlebotomine sandflies but it was not possible to identify the preferred breeding sites of S. garnhami as all the sites yielded only one to three flies. S. garnhami were recovered from soil samples from both inside and outside human homes as well as from sylvatic sites. Daily pattern of emergence of sandflies showed that 60 days were sufficient for most sandflies to emerge while at least 100 days were required for S. garnhami.