Abstract:
Background & objectives:
Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of leishmaniases and other diseases.
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) as possible tools for control have not been widely tested
against them. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Olyset
®
Net and PermaNet
®
LLINs alongside a local brand, K-O Tab
®
treated net (Supanet) against
Phlebotomus duboscqi
female sandflies.
Methods:
Four replicates of unwashed and 20
x
washed Olyset
Nets and PermaNets,
K-O Tab-
treated and untreated Supanet and ‘no net’ treatments were evaluated against sandflies within the
laboratory by tunnel tests and in semi-field conditions in the greenhouse model for their efficacy.
Results:
All bednets allowed entry of
P. duboscqi
sandflies and subsequent blood-feeding. Olyset
net’s blood feeding inhibition was significantly higher than that of Supanet in the laboratory but
not in semi-field condition. Of the LLINs, only Olyset net had sandflies that could not feed
significantly more than those of Supanet. Additionally, no significant efficacy difference was
observed between LLINs washed 20
x
and unwashed ones. The only significant difference noted in
number of sandflies that were found dead or paralyzed within bednets in the semi-field condition
was between Olyset and K-O Tab treated Supanet. In the laboratory, unwashed Olyset had a
significantly higher number of sandflies killed than all other bednet treatments.
Conclusion:
Olyset net use in areas where sandflies are nuisance biters and/or disease vectors
could be more beneficial in preventing sandfly bites than other tested bednets.
It is recommended
that mesh sizes of LLINs should be smaller for control of sandflies than those used for control of
mosquitoes
