Ecology of phlebotomine sand flies and Leishmania infantum infection in a rural area of southern Italy

- The ecology of sand flies in southern Italy was investigated.
- Sand fly presence is positively correlated with temperature and saturation deficit.
- Sand fly presence is negatively correlated with relative humidity.
- Altitude does not seem to be a limiting factor.
- Phlebotomus perfiliewi predominated locally and harboured Leishmania infantum.