Genotyping, bionomics and host-feeding behavior of Phlebotomus spp. (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Iran

The main goal of the current study was to investigate the molecular systematics and host–vector interactions of sandfly species (Phlebotomus spp.) in Iran. Sandflies were collected using CDC light traps, sticky traps, and BG-Sentinel traps at seven trapping sites in Iran during 2019 and 2020. The source of blood meals was identified using primer pairs specific to either the 16S rRNA or the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) genes. A total of 736 blood-fed female sandflies were collected. Six species of the genus Phlebotomus (Ph.) and four species of the genus Sergentomyia (Se.) were identified using molecular identification techniques. The most abundant sandfly species were Ph. papatasi (38.45 %) and Se. sintoni (36.28 %). Blood meal analysis identified 19 different host species, specifically, 15 mammalian and four bird species. The most common blood meal sources were Rattus norvegicus, followed by Homo sapiens, Bos primigenius f. taurus, Ovis orientalis f. aries, Meriones persicus, Gallus gallus f. domestica, Rhombomys opimus, and Canis lupus; other host species had incidences of less than 5 %. We observed that Ph. major complex and Se. sintoni had mostly mammalophilic blood-feeding behavior, while Ph. papatasi and Ph. sergenti had mostly anthropophilic and ornithophilic blood-feeding preferences, respectively. The current results confirmed cytb is a suitable gene for regular species level identification, and that phylogenetic analyses of cytb allowed for clear demarcation of sandfly species.