Laboratory colonies of phlebotomine sand flies are necessary for experimental study of their biology, behaviour and mutual relations with disease agents and for testing new methods of vector control. They are indispensable in genetic studies and controlled observations on the physiology and behaviour of sand flies, neglected subjects of high priority. Colonies are of particular value for screening insecticides. Colonized sand flies are used as live vector models in a diverse array of research projects, including xenodiagnosis, that are directed toward control of leishmaniasis and other sand fly-associated diseases. Historically, labour-intensive maintenance and low productivity have limited their usefulness for research, especially for species that do not adapt well to laboratory conditions. However, with growing interest in leishmaniasis research, rearing techniques have been developed and refined, and sand fly colonies have become more common, enabling many significant breakthroughs. Today, there are at least 90 colonies representing 21 distinct phlebotomine sand fly species in 35 laboratories in 18 countries worldwide. The materials and methods used by various sand fly workers differ, dictated by the availability of resources, cost or manpower constraints rather than choice. This paper is not intended as a comprehensive review but rather a discussion of methods and techniques most commonly used by researchers to initiate, establish and maintain sand fly colonies, with emphasis on the methods proven to be most effective for the species the authors have colonized. Topics discussed include collecting sand flies for colony stock, colony initiation, maintenance and mass-rearing procedures, and control of sand fly pathogens in colonies.

Les colonies de laboratoire de phlébotomes sont nécessaires pour une étude expérimentale de leur biologie, leur comportement et leurs relations mutuelles avec des agents pathogènes et pour tester de nouvelles méthodes de lutte antivectorielle. Elles sont indispensables dans les études génétiques et les observations contrôlées sur la physiologie et le comportement des phlébotomes, sujets négligés de haute priorité. Les colonies ont une valeur particulière pour le criblage des insecticides. Les phlébotomes en élevage sont utilisés comme modèles de vecteurs vivants dans un éventail varié de projets de recherche, y compris le xénodiagnostic, qui visent le contrôle de la leishmaniose et d'autres maladies associées aux phlébotomes. Historiquement, la maintenance à forte intensité de main-d'œuvre et la faible productivité ont limité leur utilité pour la recherche, en particulier pour les espèces qui ne s'adaptent pas bien aux conditions de laboratoire. Mais, avec un intérêt croissant pour la recherche sur la leishmaniose, les techniques d'élevage ont été développées et affinées, et les colonies de phlébotomes sont devenues plus fréquentes, permettant de nombreuses percées significatives. Aujourd'hui, il y a au moins 90 colonies représentant 21 espèces distinctes de phlébotomes dans 35 laboratoires et 18 pays à travers le monde. Les matériaux et les méthodes utilisés par divers chercheurs sur les phlébotomes diffèrent, dictés par la disponibilité des ressources et les contraintes de coûts ou de main-d'œuvre plutôt que par le choix. Cet article n'est pas destiné à être un examen complet, mais plutôt une discussion sur les méthodes et les techniques les plus utilisées par les chercheurs pour initier, établir et maintenir les colonies de phlébotomes, en mettant l'accent sur les méthodes démontrées les plus efficaces pour les espèces que les auteurs ont établies en colonies. Les sujets abordés comprennent la collecte de phlébotomes pour les stocks de colonies, l'initiation des colonies, les procédures de maintenance et d'élevage et le contrôle des agents pathogènes des phlébotomes dans les colonies.

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Sciences Charles University Prague Vinicna 7 128 44 Praha Czech Republic

Division of Entomology Walter Reed Army Institute of Research 503 Robert Grant Ave Silver Spring MD 84910 USA

Monte L Bean Life Science Museum Brigham Young University 2103 MLBM Provo UT 84602 USA

Place du Temple 30440 Sumène France

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