The protective effect against Leishmania infection conferred by sand fly bites is limited to short-term exposure

► Mice exposed twice to vector bites were protected against leishmaniasis. ► Mice exposed to Phlebotomus bites for a prolonged period were not protected. ► The protective effect was lost after 15 weeks without Phlebotomus bites. ► Anti-Phlebotomus duboscqi IgG positively correlated with Leishmania load in lesions.