Flight dynamics of sandflies in arid and semi-arid areas

Sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) play an important role in human and animal pathology. The objective of this work is to contribute to the orientation of control programs and entomological surveillance. The study of the population dynamics of sandflies in urban areas of the city of Marrakech shows: -the abundance of Phlebotomus papatasi in the study area, confirming the strong adaptation of this species to the arid and semi-arid climate of the region; -the existence of two periods of activity of sandflies in the urban areas of Marrakech: October-November and May-July. These two periods can be considered as the best time for intervention against the vector in these climatic conditions. -The importance of temperature and wind in determining seasonal fluctuations in the density of sandfly species in arid environments (case of Marrakech).