Abstract
Bolivia, a megadiverse country, is home to over 410 species of pathogen-vector insects, including Culicidae (malaria and arbovirus vectors), Triatominae (Chagas disease vectors), and Phlebotominae (Leishmaniasis vectors). Despite extensive field data collection by government health agencies, much of this valuable data hasn't been preserved, either in data files with field annotations or as preserved specimens. Consequently, Bolivia's entomological heritage is at risk.VECTOBOL, a multilab initiative, aims to address this issue by preserving essential data on vector insect samples and encouraging the preservation of collected specimens in laboratory collections. It relies on a shared database established using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), a web-based application developed by Vanderbilt University for database creation. REDCap is versatile and can collect various types of data in any setting, with a primary design to facilitate online and offline data capture for research studies using computers or cell phones. It boasts high-security measures and a user-friendly interface, enabling groups of researchers to work on their own independent datasets in their laboratories as well as using the shared database.The REDCap server for VECTOBOL, initially a grassroots initiative located in Cochabamba, Bolivia, is now hosted at IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) in France and is compliant with European PHI (Protected Health Information) regulations.The VECTOBOL database contains basic field survey information, such as unique sample codes, GPS coordinates, and ecological conditions, captured offline in the field. Species identifications are added later in the laboratory, along with field trip data. Data can be filtered and downloaded to generate standard files for statistical analysis or GIS manipulation, enabling the creation of distribution maps among other applications. Currently, the VECTOBOL database contains more than 1200 records and continues to grow. For more details, visit the dedicated website: https://vectobol.ird.fr.