Sand flies of Austria
Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are inconspicuous, hematophagous insects, inhabiting tropical, subtropical, arid as well as temperate regions worldwide. Of the approximately 850 species described, 70 are of medical and veterinary relevance by transmitting parasites (Leishmania spp.), bacteria (Bartonella bacilliformis) and several arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses. In Europe, 23 sand fly species are known to occur. Within Europe, sand flies were considered to be endemic only to the Mediterranean regions and the Alps were considered to display a natural barrier for their northward distribution. However, a Central European occurrence of sand flies was proven by findings of sand flies in Germany in 1999. In 2009 Phlebotomus mascittii, the most widely distributed sand fly species in Europe, was also found in Austria for the first time. Sand flies in Central Europe are considered to be remnants of post-glacial dispersal from Mediterranean refugial areas. Small populations have remained in microclimatically suited habitats and were overlooked for a long time. Several recent findings proof that known populations are stable, but the actual distribution of sand flies in Central Europe still needs to be surveyed.
The PhD thesis “Phylogeography of Austrian sand fly populations – where do they come from and where will they go?” at the Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine of the Medical University of Vienna aims to clarify the current sand fly distribution and species composition in Austria, potential dispersal routes and the medical relevance of Austrian sand flies as vectors for pathogens. Proven species are identified by morphologic and molecular methods and DNA-barcodes will be generated.
![](https://www.abol.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/team.jpg)
Project team
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Julia Walochnik (Med. University Vienna)
Edwin Kniha, MSc. (Med. University Vienna)
Project status: completed
Publications:
![Female of the sandfly species Phlebotomus mascittii](https://www.abol.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/weibchen-der-sandmueckenart-phlebotomus-mascittii-2-191x300.jpg)
![Installation of a CDC light trap in a cowshed](https://www.abol.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/installation-einer-cdc-lichtfalle-in-einem-kuhstall-2-168x300.jpg)
![Microslide of the head with visible pharynx of a Phlebotomus mascittii female for morphological determination](https://www.abol.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/kopfpraeparat-mit-sichtbarem-pharynx-eines-phlebotomus-mascittii-weibchens-fuer-die-morphologische-bestimmung-2-300x226.jpg)
Subscribe to our ABOL news
Latest News
M. SonnleitnerGEO Day of Biodiversity in South Carinthia17. July, 2024 - 15:04
On the first weekend in July, the ABOL-BioBlitz was a guest at the GEO Day of Biodiversity in the Geopark Karawanken, this year for the first time in southern Carinthia. After the welcome and introductory words in Bleiburg, the Globasnitzbachtal was investigated in the afternoon and evening of the first day. There was something for […]
N. Fial10 years ÖEG insect camp17. July, 2024 - 11:09
Parallel to the Day of Biodiversity in the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald, ABOL was represented for the third time at the ÖEG insect camp from June 6th to 9th. Like ABOL, the insect camp also celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and this year it took place in the Karwendel Nature Reserve in Tyrol. On this […]
M. SonnleitnerThe first ABOL BioBlitzes 202416. July, 2024 - 16:32
Thanks to the Biodiversity Fund projects ABOL-RefDat and GeMonA+, our ABOL team at the Natural History Museum Vienna grew at the beginning of 2024 and the first BioBlitzes were a good opportunity to support data collection and networking in the biodiversity community. This year’s Day of Biodiversity of the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald took place in […]