الفهرس 
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Abstract
Sand fly species composition and its distribution in association
to the environmental factors were studied in two villages
representing two of the Nile Delta Governorates namely; Kafr Tahla,
(Qalyubiya) and El-Quantara El-Beida, (Kafr El-Sheikh). The study
period extended through two successive years from September 2003
to August 2005. Sand flies collection was made by sticky paper
traps, which were set in three sites in domestic habitat namely;
human dwellings, animal pens and rodent burrows. The study
covered the following aspects.
1. Sand fly species composition.
A total of 14176 sand flies were collected from the two
villages using sticky paper traps set up both outdoors and indoors.
The obtained results indicated that the number of collected sand flies
was higher in Kafr Tahla than in El-Quantara El-Beida where a total
of 9587 and 4589 sand flies was collected in from the two villages
respectively. The density of sand flies was higher indoors than
outdoors especially in Kafr Tahla. Only one sand fly species was
encountered from both villages namely, Phlebotomus papatasi.
2. Monthly abundance of Phlebotomus papatasi in relation to
prevailed weather conditions.
Sand flies monthly abundance was studied in both villages
during the study period (September 2003 to August 2005).
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Kafr Tahla village.
The obtained results indicated that P. papatasi started its
activity from April to end of December outdoors and from April to
November indoors. No flies could be collected in cold months.
There were two peaks of abundance outdoors; the first peak was in
June (4.55 fly/ trap) and the second peak was in September (10.60
fly/ trap). Phlebotomus papatasi recorded two peaks of abundance
indoors; one in June (19.42 fly/ trap) and the second in October
(43.58 fly/ trap).
El-Quantara El-Beida village.
The obtained results indicated that P. papatasi started its
activity from April to end of January outdoors and from May to
November indoors. No flies could be collected in cold months.
There were two peaks of abundance outdoors; the first peak was in
June (3.20 fly/ trap) and the second peak was in October (2.86 fly/
trap). Phlebotomus papatasi recorded two peaks of abundance
indoors; one in June (11.50 fly/ trap) and the second in September
(10.00 fly/ trap).
Phlebotomus papatasi abundance was positively correlated to
weather conditions, particularly the temperature in Kafr Tahla and
El-Quantara El-Beida (r2 = 0.6197 and r2 = 0.6695 respectively). No
correlation was found between P. papatasi densities and RH% (r2 =
Summary
101
0.0261 and 0.0168 respectively) and wind speed (r2 = 0.0099 and
0.0059 respectively).
3. Phlebotomus papatasi sex ratio.
The number of collected males outnumbered females outdoors
in Kafr Tahla and El-Quantara El-Beida, where the mean sex ratio
(Male: Total) was 0.70 ± 0.10 and 0.72 ± 0.11 respectively which
was significantly higher than the mean sex ratio indoors (0.56 ± 0.10
and 0.58 ± 0.06 respectively). This ratio was in favor of males
especially if collections were performed outdoors.
4. Density of Phlebotomus papatasi collected by sticky paper
traps at animal pens and rodent burrows.
The relation between sand fly densities and animal hosts was
studied to help understand their hosts preference. The obtained
results indicated that P. papatasi densities collected at animal pens
in Kafr Tahla and El-Quantara El-Beida (1.083 ± 1.14 and 1.125 ±
1.13 respectively) were higher than P. papatasi densities at rodent
burrows (0.247 ± 0.24 and 0.089 ± 0.08 respectively).
5. Vertical distribution of Phlebotomus papatasi collected by
sticky paper traps.
Sand flies were collected at three different heights above
ground level (0.15 m., 2.0 m. and 4.0 m.) in Kafr Tahla village.
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102
Phlebotomus papatasi was more abundant at 4.0 m. above the
ground level, where the mean number of P. papatasi collected
reached 42.5 ± 17.74. Whereas, the mean number of flies collected
at 0.15 and 2.0 m. above the ground level were more or less the same
(36.9 ± 16.18 and 34.5 ± 14.42 respectively). Statistical analysis of
the data revealed that the numbers of flies collected at three different
heights above the ground level did not appear to significantly differ.
6. The effect of lunar cycle and its phases on sand fly abundance.
Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly was collected outdoors using
sticky paper traps for 192 nights during lunar cycle; Crescent, Full
moon, 3/4 moon and New moon. Spearman’s correlation showed
positive relation between P. papatasi activity and the fraction
illumination of moon. However, the lunar cycle had no direct
influence on P. papatasi activity during the different moon phases as
revealed by the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Kafr Tahla village.
Phlebotomus papatasi activity reached maximum during the
Full moon where the mean number of flies collected was 111.50 ±
75.23 followed by Crescent and 3/4 moon (83.77 ± 72.59 and 81.10
± 55.58 respectively). The minimum number of P. papatasi flies was
collected during the New moon (59.55 ± 49.16).
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El-Quantara El-Beida village.
Phlebotomus papatasi activity reached maximum during the
Full moon where the mean number was 59.17 ± 37.14 followed by
3/4 moon and Crescent (49.66 ± 33.61 and 41.64 ± 27.94
respectively). The minimum number of P. papatasi flies was
collected during the New moon (37.44 ± 25.52).
7. Species composition and relative abundance of rodent species.
Four rodent species were collected from the two villages and
the taxonomic classification indicated the presence of Rattus
norvegicus, R. rattus alexandrinus, R rattus frugivorous, and Mus
musculus. Results indicated that R. norvegicus recorded the highest
abundance in Kafr Tahla and El-Quantara El-Beida villages (42%
and 36% respectively) followed by R. rattus alexandrinus (33% and
30% respectively), R rattus frugivorous (17% and 26% respectively)
while Mus musculus recorded the lowest distribution (8% and 8%
respectively). The obtained results indicated that relative abundance
of rodents reached maximum in the hot season.