A possible role of bats as a blood source for the Leishmania vector Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Some evidence suggests that bats may provide an alternative blood source for Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of American visceral leishmaniasis. Feeding trials were conducted to determine whether L. longipalpis feeds on captive bats. The high feeding success indicated that L. longipalpis is capable of feeding on at least four species of bats. Implications for the epidemiology of leishmaniases are discussed.