Contribution à l’étude des insectes d’importance médicale et vétérinaire

Abstract

Sand flies are hematophagous insects of major importance in human and animal health due to their potential role in the transmission of various diseases, particularly leishmaniasis. This study aims to contribute to the knowledge of sand flies in two northeastern Algerian regions, Jijel and Mila, through a combined approach integrating morphological, morphometric, and ecological analysis. During a sampling period spanning several months in 2024, a total of 459 specimens were collected from several sites across both wilayas. The identification process led to the recognition of five different species (Pn, Pf, Lc, Pa, Sm), among which Phlebotomus perniciosus was found to be the most dominant. Morphometric analyses highlighted certain intraspecific variations. Moreover, the calculated ecological indices (species richness, abundance, Shannon index, evenness) allowed the characterization of sand fly communities according to the studied sites. The Jaccard similarity index revealed a strong similarity in species composition between the two regions. The results emphasize the influence of environmental factors — such as temperature, humidity, and habitat type — on the distribution and abundance of the species. This study serves as a valuable reference for entomological surveillance programs and the understanding of the ecological dynamics of these vectors in the Algerian context.