phlebotomus argentipes phlebotomus argentipes phlebotomus argentipes are a species of sandfly in genus phlebotomus in the indian subcontinent they are notable as a vector for leishmania donovani, the parasite which causes leishmaniasis. phlebotomus argentipes scientific classification kingdom: animalia phylum: arthropoda class: insecta order: diptera family: psychodidae genus: phlebotomus species: p. argentipes binomial name phlebotomus argentipesannandale & brunetti, 1908 synonyms phlebotomus glaucus mitra & roy, 1953 phlebotomus annandalei sinton, 1923 phlebotomus zeylanicus annandale, 1910 phlebotomus marginatus annandale, 1910 life the insect was first described by nelson annandale & enrico adelelmo brunetti in 1908. insecticide for bite prevention there are recorded procedures for testing poison on this insect. a 2018 study found the insect could be killed with common insecticides including cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, malathion and bendiocarb. the same study cautioned to rotate the use of pesticides to prevent the development of pesticide resistance. a small study in bihar found that by taking environmental measurements, it was possible to predict where this insect would live. after taking environmental measurements, it is useful to recommend the regions where indoor residual spraying can effectively prevent insect bites.