Sand Flies

PHLEBOTOMUS

 Phlebotomus is the important type as well as at least mosquitoes in respect to health especially in Southern East Anatolia Region of our country. Phlebotomus displays similarity with mosquitoes according to their bio-ecological specifications and sucking blood by biting at nights and they are confused frequently. Type, which sucks the blood, is Phlebotomus spp. Their lengths are 1- 5 mm. Therefore, holes on the networks used for protection should be smaller than 1 mm.
The most important feature of these livings is that they prefer to places having high moisture. They share the same ambient with Anopheles type mosquitoes, found on the closed areas. Their bodies' being small and feathered limits flight distances. Therefore, as long as majority matures, they remain on the floor. They go 100 m at most once. They disperse mostly by storm.
Only Females suck blood. Eggs are left about 1.5 day after the last blood is sucked. Female phlebotomus leaves 40 -50 pieces of eggs in 8 -10 days after it is fertilized. Female dies after laying egg. Grey white larva emerges in 6-12 days after egg is left. They feed with plant juices and organic liquids in the ambient, in which they are left. Their larva are grown in the moist ambient under organic wastes, rotten plant, grass deposits, fertilizers, fosse septic, caves, detritus, bush bottoms, rock bottoms. They develop subject to hotness and feeding. They develop in 21 C and they become completely mature in 7 weeks. Life of matures are about 1-2 weeks.
DAMAGES
Spit, which they secrete onto bitten place in order to prevent coagulation of blood is allergic for people. It may cause biting and itching, fiery and allergic skin infection. However, important of Phlebotomus in respect to health is that they infect parasite with Leishman, which they carry. Infection of Leishman spp. occurs when these flies wait for a definite time after they suck blood of a patient person and then they suck blood of normal person.
Important two types are L. Donavani and L.Tropica for our country. L. Donavani causes a chronic disease, displaying itself as irregular fever, anemia, leucopenia spleen and liver expansion and called as visceral Lesihmaniozis. It is seen generally on the children on summer months in Mediterranean and Southern East Anatolia Region. However, Kala Azar (Internal organs Leishmanlosis) is not treated, it drives to death. It has still been a common disease in Africa and Asia.
L. tropicano is the reason of skin Leishmanlosis, called as Aleppo boil. Parasite causes a disease, characterized by wounds, which are not improved for long time. Disease occurs in June, August months, which pass very hot and dry mostly. Espudinia and uta diseases, occurred in Southern America are also infected by these animals. Big and long wounds occur. Leishmanlosis is not only seen on people but also on many mammals especially on dogs although it occurs more weakly.