[Sandflies in Italy: observations on their distribution and methods for control].

The paper analyzes published and unpublished data of sandfly collections carried out in Italy by one of the authors (M.M.) over a period of 18 years (1975-1993). These data are discussed in relation to the collection methods and the habitats. The leishmaniasis foci surveyed are localized in 11 regions of Central and Southern Italy and in the two main islands, Sicily and Sardinia. Five collection methods were used: i) sticky traps, ii) light traps, iii) window exit traps, iv) emergence traps, and v) hand catches. Captures were performed in domestic and sylvatic habitats in rural, urban and periurban areas. A total of 81,915 sandflies has been collected. Specimens were identified as belonging to 6 species: Phlebotomus perniciosus (46.1%), P. perfiliewi (43.8%), P. major (0.2%), P. mascittii (0.1%), P. papatasi (0.3%), and Sergentomyia minuta (9.5%). P. perniciosus, P. perfiliewi and S. minuta have been reported in almost all the regions samples, P. major only in 3 regions of South Italy (Apulia, Calabria and Sicily), P. mascitti in 4 regions of Central Italy (Tuscany, Latium, Abruzzo, Molise) and in Campania, P. papatasi in 6 regions without any definite geographical distribution. From the analysis of sticky trap captures P. perniciosus seems to be the prevalent species in the domestic habitat (65.6%) even if present in the sylvatic one (21.8%). The report of P. perniciosus in both situations might indicate the ability of the species to colonize a large range of habitats. P. perfiliewi resulted as the predominant species (88.1%) in the domestic area from collections with CDC light traps. S. minuta was the most abundant species in the sylvatic conditions (76.6%) while P. papatasi showed a clear endophilic behaviour reaching high percentages only in bedrooms and stables. Moreover, taxonomic characters of spermathecae utilized in species identification are reported.