Population dynamics of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera:Phlebotomidae) in Pondicherry, India

Investigations on the population dynamics of Phlebotomus papatasi were carried out. The average indoor resting density fluctuated between 16.70 and 2.25/man-hour in different seasons with a maximum density during monsoon season. There was a significant positive correlation between density and rainfall. Probability of daily survival of adult population was high in monsoon and low in summer. Both relative humidity and temperature influenced the survival. The finite rate of natural increase of the field population was maximum in October and minimum in April. The monsoon season, with moderate temperature and relative humidity was found to be favourable for the growth of P. papatasi population.