CHAPTER 5 

 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



During this three-year study, the objectives, outlined in Chapter 

 1, were achieved as follows: 



1. Field surveys were conducted at and near human case sites of 

 leishmaniasis in south central Texas to determine the sand fly fauna 

 and potential vectors of the disease. Five species of Lutzomyia , 

 including one new species, were collected and eight new county records 

 established. Lutzomyia diabol ica (Hall), the only anthropophi 1 ic sand 

 fly found, was the most common, accounting for 99% of all specimens. 

 Lutzomyia anthophora (Addis), Lu. vexator (Coqui 1 lett), and Lu. texana 

 (Dampf) were collected in smaller numbers. 



2. The biology of Lu. diabol ica was studied under field 

 conditions. Nearly 8,000 eggs were recovered from approximately 1,925 

 females that were blood fed after capture to stock a laboratory 

 colony. Dissections of wild-caught Lu_. diabol ica revealed several 

 naturally occurring parasites including Crithidia , other unidentified 

 flagellates, gregarines, microsporidians, and phoretic mites. 



3. A productive laboratory colony of Lu. diabol ica was 

 established for the first time. 



4. Detailed laboratory studies on the biology of Lu. diabol ica , 

 both in temperature controlled incubators and under ambient 

 conditions, were conducted through 16 generations. A new larval diet, 



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