Geographical distribution of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in southern Uzbekistan

Phlebotomine sandflies, important vectors of leishmaniasis, were surveyed between 2020 and 2023 in 4 southern regions of Uzbekistan-Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Jizzakh, and Samarkand-where human cases have been reported. A total of 2,905 specimens were collected and identified, representing 9 species from 2 genera: Phlebotomus (P. papatasi, P. sergenti, P. longiductus, P. caucasicus, P. mongolensis, P. andrejevi, P. alexandri) and Sergentomyia (S. sogdiana, S. grecovi). Sandfly abundance was highest in Kashkadarya (43.0%, n=1,249), followed by Surkhandarya (33.7%, n=979), Jizzakh (12.7%, n=369), and Samarkand (10.6%, n=308). P. sergenti was the most frequently detected species, predominating in Jizzakh (68.8%), Samarkand (63.3%), and Surkhandarya (42.1%), while P. papatasi was also prevalent, particularly in Kashkadarya (26.4%) and Surkhandarya (38.6%). In contrast, P. longiductus, P. alexandri, and S. grecovi were detected at relatively low frequencies.. These findings provide critical baseline data on sandfly species composition and regional distribution, which are essential for developing effective surveillance and control strategies to prevent cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Uzbekistan.