New Phlebotomine Sand-Fly Colonies II. Laboratory colonization of Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae)1

Phlebotomus duboscqi, a vector of Leishmania major in Kenya, is being maintained in a closed laboratory colony, currently in its 5th generation. The rearing techniques developed for 3 previously colonized species of phlebotomine sand flies are also suitable for maintaining this new species. Phlebotomus duboscqi is comparatively easy to propagate in colony because 75% of the females survive oviposition, take additional blood meals, and lay 2nd and in a few cases 3rd egg batches, thereby substantially increasing the productivity of each generation. Because Phlebotomus duboscqi takes multiple blood meals and survives oviposition, it has been possible to experimentally infect females with Leishmania major and transmit the parasite from rodent to sand fly to rodent.