What is Sandfly?
{{Taxobox | name = Sand flies | image = Phlebotomus pappatasi bloodmeal continue2.jpg | image_caption = ''Phlebotomus papatasi'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | classis = [[Insect]]a | ordo = [[Fly|Diptera]] | subordo = [[Nematocera]] | familia = [[Psychodidae]] | subfamilia = '''Phlebotominae'''}} '''Sandflies''' are a group of [[flies]], many of which feed on blood and are [[Vector (biology)|vectors]] of [[parasites]]. The group is the '''Phlebotominae''', a subfamily of flies.<ref>Sometimes the name is applied to other insects as well.</ref> Parasitic diseases spread by the flies include [[leishmaniasis]], [[bartonellosis]] and [[pappataci fever]]. In the [[New World]] leishmaniasis is spread by sand flies in the genus ''[[Lutzomyia]]''. ''Lutzomyia'' often live in caves, where their main hosts are [[bat]]s. In the [[Old World]] sand flies in the genus ''[[Phlebotomus]]'' spread leishmaniasis. Phlebotomine females, and only females, suck blood from various [[mammals]], [[reptiles]] and [[birds]]. Some species are selective, whereas others bite any suitable [[Host (biology)|host]] they find. All species need a blood meal for every following clutch of eggs after the first. [[Protein]]s and other [[nutrient]]s in the blood enable the female to produce eggs.<ref>Braverman Y. 1994. Nematocera (Ceratopogonidae, Psychodidae, Simuliidae and Culicidae) and control methods. ''Rev. Sci. Oech. Off. Int. Epiz.'', '''13'''(4), 1175-1199</ref> The flies use their mouthparts to start the host bleeding. They then suck up the exposed blood. Like practically all blood-feeding parasites, they inject biochemicals that inhibit [[blood clotting]], plus some that stimulate host [[mast cell]]s to produce [[histamine]]; this distend [[capillary]] vessels, thereby promoting blood flow.<ref>Killick-Kendrick R. 1999. The biology and control of Phlebotomine sand flies. ''Clinics in Dermatology'' '''17''' (3): 279–89. [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738081X99000462]</ref> One blood meal can