Two morphotypes of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) have been described in Brazil one with one pair of pale tergal spots, the other one with two pairs of spots. This character is only found in males. In Bolivia the form with one spot occurs only in the focus of visceral leishmaniasis of Yungas (alt. 1,000-2,000 m) in peridomestic environment; it is the proven vector of that disease. The two spotted form has been recently discovered in the entrance of caves in the Cochabamba area (alt. 2,700 m). It has never been found in or around dwellings in this area where visceral leishmaniasis does not occur. In Bolivia, so far, the two forms are allopatric and their ecology is quite different.
Psychodidae; Lutzomyia longipalpis; distribution; morphotypes; Bolivia