[Sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Guaviare Province, Colombia, with 4 new records for the country].

INTRODUCTION

Although cases of leishmaniasis have been reported in the province of Guaviare, Colombia, no entomological studies were included to identify the Lutzomyia sand fly vector species in that area.

OBJECTIVE

Lutzomyia species were identified from four townships of Guaviare. Probable vectors were named based on those species involved in transmission in other areas.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Sampling was undertaken with CDC light traps suspended at heights between 1.5 m and 9 m. Additional sand flies were collected with Shannon traps and by aspiration of adult flies from daytime resting sites.

RESULTS

Sand flies belonging to 37 different species were collected. 35 of them were recorded for the first time in Guaviare Province. Four species were new records for Colombia: Lutzomyia begonae, L. campbelli, L. sericea and L. nematoducta. The most abundant species were L. hirsuta 24.3% (148/610), L. yuilli 15.2% (93/610), L. davisi 10.3% (63/610), followed by L. fartigi, L. carrerai, L. antunesi, L. flaviscutellata and L. olmeca bicolor.

CONCLUSION

Seven of these species of have been associated previously with endemic or epidemic transmission of leishmaniasis.