An entomological survey was performed during the period of August to December, 1977 in Rio da Prata, region of Bangu, Rio de Janeiro. Manual insect capturing devices were utilized to study the peri-domiciliar area from 13 of 27 houses. The insects were captured mainly from 4 sites which were selected as being most productive. During 22 captures (73.3 hrs/person) 1585 sandflies were collected. They were identified as Lutzomya intermedia 828 (52.2%), Lutzomyia longipalpis 687 (43,1%), Lutzomyia migonei 57 (3.6%), Lutozmyia cortelezzii 5 (0.3%), Lutzomyia fischeri 5 (0.3%), Lutzomyia micropyga 3 (0.2%), Lutzomyi firmatoi 1 (0.1%), and Brumptomyia sp. 2 (0.2%). L. longipalpis were predominant at altitudes much higher than 100 merters either in chicken houses or piggeries. Most of them were collected form 6:00 to 9:00 pm, but occasionally were captured also from 3:00 to 5: pm. L. intermedia were predominant at altitudes much lower than 100 meters. They were captured more frequently in piggeries than in chicken houses, compared to L. longipalpis. The authors stress the necessity to implement control measures since there is a potential risk of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in areas near Rio de Janeiro city.