Vertical distribution of Lutzumyia sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Abstract

In a focus on cutaneous leishmaniasis (Bajo Calima, Buenaventura, Colombia, S.A.), vertical distribution, seasonal variation, and resting sites of blood-sucking phlebotomine sand files of the genus Lutzomyia, vector of leishmaniasis, were assessed from January 1989 through February 1990. A total of 3508 individuals were collected (1038 males, 2470 females), 3323 with CDC miniature light traps located at 1.5m and 10.0m above the ground; these traps captured 62.6% and 37.8% of the specimens, respectively. Among the 16 species found, Lu. panamensis was more frequent at 1.5 m and Lu. trapidoi at 10.0m, but without any significant correlation with environmental factors. The more common resting places were indoor walls, holes and barks, and roots of trees, where 185 individuals belonging to 6 Lutzomyia species were recovered.