The use of radioisotope labelling for studying the feeding of sandflies (Phlebotominae) and their move into colonies of the greater gerbil (Rhombomys opimus Licht.)

: The fly off and distribution of sandflies, vectors of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis after meal on great gerbils were studied by means of radioisotope techniques. The experiments were carried out near the town of Mubarek (Uzbekistan). Three Rhombomys opimus were marked by intraperitoneal injection of 14C-glycine solution. Then they were allowed to come back to their burrows. The sandflies were radioactively labelled during bloodsucking on the rodents. Fifty-seven labeled female sandflies were caught on the surface of burrows with the marked R. opimus and on 5 colony burrows at a distance of 70-280 m from it for 6 nights. Seventeen females were Phlebotomus papatasi (0.9% of all the caught females of this species) and 40 females belonged to the Paraphlebotomus subgenus (7.0%). The fly off occurred both before and against the wind. The labeled females were found on all burrows where sticky papers were placed, but their density was 16 times lower at a distance of 280 m than in the burrow colony of their release.