The Sandflies (Phlebotominae) of Iraq

Abstract

An account is given of a survey of the sandfly fauna of Iraq made in 1949 and 1950. Two new species, one of which has been previously misidentified, and two new varieties are described, and brief notes are given on all the 12 species of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia taken in the survey. A description is given of a male of P. palestinensis taken in Baghdad, as it differs from the male described from Jericho. Keys to the Phlebotominae in Iraq and neighbouring territories are included, together with a Table showing their distribution.Relationship between distribution of human dermal leishmaniasis and the species of Phlebotomus is shown on a map, supporting the belief that P. sergenti is the principal, if not the sole, vector of oriental sore in Iraq.The distribution of Sergentomyia is given in another map indicating that, in contrast to Phlebotomus, the individual species of Sergentomyia are confined to one or other side of the boundary between the Saharo-Sindian and the Irano-Turanian zoogeographical regions.