Lutzomyia longiflocosa (Diptera: Psychodidae), suspected vector at a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Planadas, coffe plantation area of Tolima

Abstract

Dueto an increase in the reports of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases in Planadas (Tolima), in a central Colombian coffee-growing region, a pilot-study was carried out to determine the sand flies of the genus Lutzomyia in La Aldea, La Floresta and Gaitania indigenous area. Sand flies were sampled at night using Shannon traps, CDC light traps and protected human bait. A total of 2,849 sand flies, grouped in five species were found, three of them belonging to the verrucarum group. L. longiflocosa (98.5%) was found mainly in coffee crops, peri and intradomiciliary areas. L. longiflocosa is known to be anthrophophilic and a suspected vector of CL in Huila Department, Colombia. L. nuñez tovari(0.7%), whose L. n. anglesivariety is considered possible Leishmania sp. vector in Bolivia, found in intra and peridomicialiary areas, and L. columbiana (0.1%), was registered in intra and peridomiciliary areas. L. shannoni(0.3%), was mainly present in coffee crops. Some of the collected sand flies were species of the subgenus Helcocyrtomyia (0.5%). From 379 phlebotomine dissected, none was found harbouring flagellate forms in their guts.The results pointed to L. longiflocosa as the most probable vector in this focus. However, it is necessary to carry out further studies to define the role that this species plays in the transmission of CL in the area.