Cutaneous (LTA) and Visceral (LVA) American Leishmaniasis incidence is increasing in human and canine hosts, especially LVA, which is expanding throughout the State of São Paulo. Knowledge of the distribution and ecology of different sand fly species is essential for leishmaniasis epidemiological surveillance. The communication of new findings of vectors, mainly the main LVA vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, is mandatory for determination of these illnesses' transmission risk. In this study, sand flies were trapped in domiciliary, peridomiciliary and bushed areas, in different localities in rural areas of the Ipeúna and Itirapina counties, between October 2001 and February 2004. CDC automatic light traps were used from 18h to 8h, during 14 nights, resulting in 420 hours of captures. A total of 177 specimens pertaining to twelve different species were sampled. The most abundant species was Nyssomyia neivai, pointed out as the main LTA vector in the State of São Paulo, which totaled 85.4% of the specimens trapped in Ipeúna. The finding of Lutzomyia longipalpis in a cave in Itirapina indicates the risk of LVA establishment in the area and the need for new local studies on its ecology, especially with regard to occupation of anthropic environments.
Leishmaniasis; Vector ecology; Epidemiology; Transmission; Zoonosis; Sand flies
