Background & objectives: Sandflies are reported as the vectors of different kinds of leishmaniasis to human.
There are foci of the disease in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the fauna and species composition
of sandflies to find the probable vectors of leishmaniasis in Nikshahr county, south-east of Iran, where cutaneous
leishmaniasis is endemic.
Methods: Sandflies were collected by sticky paper traps from 20 collection stations located in plain and
mountainous area of Nikshahr county. The sex ratio and relative abundance of different species were also
determined.
Results: A total of 11,455 sandflies revealed 23 species collected and identified. Phlebotomus alexandri, P.
sergenti, P. papatasi, P. salehi, and P. keshishiani were the most important vector species found in this study.
Interpretation & conclusion: During this survey 13 species are identified for the first time from Nikshahr
county—P. bergeroti, P. eleanorae, P. keshishiani, P. halepensis, S. hodgsoni, S. christophersi, S. mervynae, S.
dentata, S. dreyfussi, S. iranica, S. africana, S. grekovi and S. palestinensis, while P. keshishiani is an important
vector of visceral leishmaniasis in south of Iran. These data demonstrate five vectors of leishmaniasis are
active in the study area.