Table 1 Research questions relating to sand fly population dynamics and behaviour to inform surveillance and improve control of P. argentipes in Bihar

• What are the blood-feeding preferences of P. argentipes, and how do they vary spatially and temporally (diurnally and seasonally), in response to IRS (diversion)?

• Do natural infection rates of P. argentipes with L. donovani vary spatially, temporally and in response to IRS (diversion)?

• How far does P. argentipes disperse within villages?

• What is the EIR for L. donovani in P. argentipes?

• What is the relative importance of indoor and outdoor transmission in relation to IRS?

• Is IRS selecting for resistance and, if so, what are the mechanisms and at what rate is it emerging in the field?

• If IRS as the stand-alone vector control tool does not stop transmission, what are the appropriate available tools to control residual transmission?