FIOCRUZ | Ecological study of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) collected in the region of the São Manoel hydroelectric power plant

Study Extent

The site for the implementation of the São Manoel Hydroelectric Power Plant is located in the region of the middle Teles Pires River, approximately 330 km from the junction with the Juruena River, where the Tapajós River forms. In addition to the environmental impact of the implementation of the São Manoel Hydroelectric Power Plant, the region still suffers from the impacts of agriculture and livestock husbandry. The main type of vegetation at and around the power plant site is Amazon rainforest.

Sampling

Samples of sand flies were collected between December 2015 to April 2017, at three-month intervals using HP light traps (Pugedo et al. 2005), which operated from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. of the following day. The HP traps were installed 1.5 m above the ground. Sand flies were collected in both forest and domiciliary and environments. In each environment, 12 traps were used, with a total of 24 collection sites.

Quality Control

The insects were identified following the key and classification proposed by Galati (2003, 2018). A subsample of the specimens were deposited in Coleção de Flebotomíneos (FIOCRUZ/COLFLEB) of the Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas.

Method steps

1. In the field, sand flies collected in each trap were screened and stored in 1.5 mL microtubes submerged in 80% ethanol and transported to the laboratory. The insects were prepared according to Langeron (1949) and identified following the key and classification proposed by Galati (2003, 2018). Data were analised in Excel, a data cleaning step was performed using Open Refine.

Sand flies Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae

1. Phlebotominae
   common name: sand fly rank: subfamily

Teles Pires River, which demarks the boundary of the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Pará.