The establishment, maintenance and productivity of a laboratory colony of Phlebotomus similis Perfiliew, 1963 (Diptera, Psychodidae)

Phlebotomus similis is a relatively poorly understood sand fly species. This paper presents the results of the first successful laboratory colonization of P. similis. Some bionomic factors collected on the life history, behaviour, feeding preferences, and characteristics of developmental biology of this species are described. Furthermore, the parameters of the dynamics and the life history of this species under laboratory conditions were quantified. These results will facilitate further studies necessary for understanding its potential role as a vector of leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean.