Armature of genital atrium: An important tool of parity indicator and age grading in Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae) the vector of Indian Kala-azar

Authors: Sujata Kumari, Aarti Rama, Shreekant Kesari, Bidyut Purkait, Pradeep Das and Vijay Kumar
In Indian perspective, phlebotomine sand flies are considered as an insect of medical importance. Female phlebotomine sand flies, being haematophagy as well sheltering pathogenic parasite of genus Leishmania are very much responsible for transmission of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among its host. Along with the above mentioned features, it also bears an Armature of Genital Atrium (AGA) that has been exploited for age gradation, parity identification as well as exploring morphological variation in its sibling species, but yet has never been validated in case of Phlebotomus argentipes (Annandale and Brunetti) - a prompt and well established VL vector in Indian subcontinent. Therefore, experimental approaches including dissection and microscopic observation were performed for determining if morphological changes in AGA could successfully differentiate between laboratory reared parous and nulliparous P. argentipes. Parous female sand flies exhibited a diagnostic longitudinal crease in AGA that had developed after oviposition. Parity identification by observing longitudinal crease in AGA has its implications in age-determination via species establishment in wild-caught female sand flies. It will help in allocating epidemiologically viable sand flies’ habitat following estimation of VL transmission risk compelled by them. The strategy will further help in implementing effective control strategy for the containment of vector population transmitting disease.

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