Phlebotomine sand flies in the state of Piaui, Brazil (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

In 1997, 1998 and 1999 we performed several captures in the State of Piaui, in the counties of Barro Duro, Campo Maior, Castelo, Floriano, Picos, Sao Raimundo Nonato and Teresina. We used CDC light traps inside houses, in a primary forest and in one cave. Seventeen species were collected being Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia samueli, Lutzomyia whitmani and Lutzomyia lenti the most captured species. The genus Brumptomyia, L. whitmani, Lutzomyia sordellii, Lutzomyia carmelinoi, Lutzomyia termitophila, Lutzomyia peresi and Lutzomyia quinquefer are reported for first time in Piaui. We call the attention for the presence of L. whitmani and L. longipalpis, important vectors of leishmaniasis in various regions of South America.