Some methods for membrane feeding of laboratory reared, neotropical sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae)

A brief introduction to the history and applications of membrane feeding is given, together with its use to feed and infect sandflies with Leishmania. The present paper describes methods for feeding Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. flaviscutellata through membranes. Of the membranes tested, chick skins and bat wings gave the best results. Membranes stored at -20 degrees C for over a year were found to be less effective than fresh ones. Blood meals were maintained at temperatures between 24 degrees C and 37 degrees C and it is concluded that although temperatures as high as 37 degrees C are unnecessary for successful membrane feeding of sandflies, fewer flies feed in most instances at temperatures below 27 degrees C. The influence on feeding of individual skins, different lots of blood and the addition of leishmanial cultures to offered blood are discussed.