A identificação da fauna flebotomínea e de alguns aspectos ecológicos de suas populações em áreas freqüentadas por turistas no PEI, situado em reserva de mata Atlântica, constituem-se nos objetivos deste estudo. As capturas foram mensais de janeiro/2001 a dezembro/2002, com armadilhas automáticas luminosas em 13 ecótopos, incluindo cavernas, matas e peridomicílio e aspiração em tocas de tatus. Sem intervalos regulares, foram realizadas capturas com armadilhas de Shannon na mata e ambientes antrópicos, aspiração em paredes de cavernas e entre raízes e folhedo e em membros da equipe quando picados por flebotomíneos. No total foram capturados 891 flebotomíneos pertencentes a 21 espécies. Com as armadilhas automáticas luminosas capturou-se 19 espécies e 600 espécimes, 215 em ambiente antrópico (2,24 insetos/armadilha) e 385 em ambiente natural (1,46 insetos/armadilha). Brumptomyia troglodytes foi a mais abundante, com o índice de abundância das espécies padronizado = 0,705. Pintomyia monticola predominou nas armadilhas de Shannon, mostrando-se antropofílica e com atividade hematofágica diurna e noturna. Psathyromyia pascalei predominou nas aspirações, com a maioria dos espécimes aspirados de tocas de tatu. Das 11 espécies capturadas em cavernas, embora algumas possam ser consideradas troglófilas, a maioria usa este ecótopo como local de abrigo. Nyssomyia intermedia, Nyssomyia neivai e Migonemyia migonei, implicados na transmissão da leishmaniose tegumentar na Região Sudeste do Brasil foram capturados, todavia em tão baixa densidade que sugere risco mínimo da doença no PEI.

The identification of the sandfly fauna and investigation of some ecological aspects of its populations in areas frequented by tourists of the PEI, an Atlantic forest reserve with many caves, were the objective of this study. Captures were undertaken monthly from January 2001 to December 2002, with automatic light traps installed in 13 ecotopes, including caves, forests, domiciliary and peridomiciliary environments, and by aspiration in armadillo burrows. Additionally, although not at regular intervals, Shannon traps were installed in forests and anthropic environments, aspirations were made on cave walls, among roots and fallen leaves, and some insects were captured while biting researchers. A total of 891 sandflies belonging to 21 species were captured. Six hundred specimens representing 19 species were captured with light traps, 215 in anthropic (2.24 insects/trap) and 385 in extra-domiciliary (1.46 insects/trap) environments. Brumptomyia troglodytes was the most abundant species (the Standardised Index of Species Abundance = 0.705). Pintomyia monticola predominated in the Shannon traps and showed anthropophilic and diurnal activity. Psathyromyia pascalei predominated in the aspirations; the largest number being in armadillo burrows. Eleven species were captured in caves; although some might be troglophiles, the majority used these ecotopes as resting places. Nyssomyia intermedia, Nyssomyia neivai and Migonemyia migonei, implicated in the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Southeastern Brazilian region, were all found, though in such low densities as to suggest minimal risk of the disease in the PEI.

Objetivando identificar aspectos do comportamento de duas espécies crípticas, simpátricas e implicadas na transmissão de leishmaniose tegumentar, Nyssomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) e Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto, 1926), procederam-se capturas com armadilhas de Shannon preta e branca, instaladas lado a lado, mensalmente, de julho/2001 a junho/2002, das 18-07 horas, em peridomicílio no município de Iporanga, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Um total de 2.142 espécimes foi capturado, Ny. intermedia (47,4%) e Ny. neivai (50,5%). A armadilha branca foi mais atrativa para ambos os sexos das duas espécies. Machos de Ny. neivai predominaram (70%) sobre os de Ny. intermedia nas duas armadilhas; na preta, as fêmeas de Ny. intermedia predominaram (63,3%) sobre às de Ny. neivai (36,7%); 70% dos espécimes de ambas as espécies foi capturado entre 18h e 24h. Fêmeas de Ny. intermedia apresentaram o maior pico das 19-20h e as de Ny. neivai das 20-21h. Na armadilha preta, a maior média horária para as fêmeas de Ny. intermedia ocorreu no inverno e para os machos, no verão; para Ny. neivai, ambos os sexos predominaram no verão. Na branca, ambos os sexos de ambas as espécies foram mais atraídos no verão. A alta predominância de ambas as espécies sugere que estejam atuando na transmissão da leishmaniose cutânea na área.

Captures with black and white Shannon traps were undertaken to identify aspects of the behavior of the two cryptic and sympatric species implicated as vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis, Nyssomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) and Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto, 1926). The traps were installed side by side, monthly, from July 2001 to June 2002, from 18 to 07 hours, in a peridomicile of Iporanga municipality, state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 2,142 specimens were captured, Ny. intermedia (47.4%) and Ny. neivai (50.5%). The white trap was more attractive to both sexes of both species. Males of Ny. neivai predominated (70%) over those of Ny. intermedia on the two traps; on the black trap, the females of Ny. intermedia predominated (63.3%) over those of Ny. neivai (36.7%). Seventy percent of the specimens of both species were captured between 18 and 24 h. Females of Ny. intermedia presented the highest peak at 19-20 h, and those of Ny. neivai at 20-21 h. The highest hourly average for females of Ny. intermedia on the black trap occurred in the winter and that for males in the summer. For Ny. neivai, both sexes predominated in the summer. The two species probably transmit the cutaneous leishmaniasis in the area due to their great predominance.

Phlebotominae (Diptera, Psychodidae) na Província Espeleológica do Vale do Ribeira: 3. Área de pousadas para turistas que visitam o Parque Estadual do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), estado de São Paulo, Brasil. O estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar alguns aspectos ecológicos da fauna flebotomínea em área endêmica de leishmaniose tegumentar situada do Bairro Serra, município de Iporanga, onde se situam pousadas para turistas que visitam o PETAR. As capturas foram realizadas em uma chácara e em um sítio, mensalmente, entre janeiro de 2001 e dezembro de 2003, com armadilhas automáticas luminosas (AAL) em chiqueiro, galinheiro e varanda do domicílio de ambos os locais, e no sítio, também com armadilhas de Shannon branca/preta. Capturou-se com as AALs um total de 87.224 flebotomíneos, representando 19 espécies, mais dois híbridos de Nyssomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) e Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto, 1926) e dois espécimes anômalos. Ny. intermedia apresentou o índice de abundância das espécies padronizado = 1,0 e Ny. neivai = 0,935. Na chácara, ambas predominaram no chiqueiro, com a média geométrica de Williams/captura para Ny. intermedia = 63,7 espécimes e para Ny. neivai = 29,2, e no sítio, no galinheiro, Ny. intermedia = 402,6 e Ny. neivai = 116,2. Capturou-se nas armadilhas de Shannon branca/preta 863 flebotomíneos: Ny. intermedia (75,4%) e Ny. neivai (24,3%), as fêmeas sendo significativamente predominantes na branca. As altas freqüências de Ny. intermedia e Ny. neivai, ambas implicadas na transmissão de agente da leishmaniose tegumentar, indicam risco de transmissão da doença na área.

Phlebotomines (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the Speleological Province of the Ribeira Valley: 3. Area of hostels for tourists who visit the Parque Estadual do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), state of São Paulo, Brazil. The study characterizes some ecological aspects of the phlebotomine fauna in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) situated in the Serra district, Iporanga municipality where the hostels for tourists visiting the PETAR are located. Captures were undertaken on a smallholding and a small farm situated near the hostels, monthly between January/2001 and December/2003 with automatic light traps (ALT) in pigsty, hen-house and veranda of a domicile at the two sites, and in peridomicile of the small farm also with black/white Shannon traps. With the ALT a total of 87,224 phlebotomines representing 19 species and also two hybrids of Nyssomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva) and Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto) and two anomalous specimens were captured. The standardized index species abundance was for Ny. intermedia = 1.0 and Ny. neivai = 0.935. The highest frequencies of the smallholding occurred in the pigsty, the Williams' mean/capture for Ny. intermedia being 63.7 specimens and for Ny. neivai 29.2, and on the small farm, in the hen-house, Ny. intermedia 402.6 and Ny. neivai 116.2. A total of 863 phlebotomines (Ny. intermedia: 75.4%; Ny. neivai: 24.3%) were captured with black/white Shannon traps; females of both species being predominant in the white trap. The high frequencies of Ny. intermedia and Ny. neivai, both implicated in CL transmission, indicate the areas presenting risk of the disease.

O Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira, com cerca de 250 cavernas, situado em reserva de floresta Atlântica, é uma importante atração turística na região do Vale do Ribeira, onde a leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) é endêmica. Com o objetivo de investigar as espécies incômodas ao homem e/ou implicadas na transmissão de Leishmania, identificou-se a fauna flebotomínea e alguns aspectos ecológicos de suas populações no núcleo da caverna Santana. Mensalmente, de janeiro/2001 a dezembro/2002, foram realizadas capturas com armadilhas automáticas luminosas em 11 ecótopos, incluindo cavernas, florestas, área de camping e ambientes domiciliares, e com armadilhas de Shannon em mata. No total capturou-se 2.449 flebotomíneos, representando 21 espécies. Nas capturas com armadilhas automáticas luminosas, Psathyromyia pascalei e Psychodopygus ayrozai foram as mais abundantes. Com as armadilhas de Shannon branca e preta instaladas simultaneamente foram capturados 107 espécimes, representando 13 espécies, na preta (12 espécies) e na branca (6 espécies). Fêmeas de Psychodopygus geniculatus predominaram na preta (43,75%), e Psathyromyia lanei e Ps. ayrozai, igualmente (32,4%), na branca. Nyssomyia intermedia e Nyssomyia neivai, ambas implicadas na transmissão da LTA na região, também foram capturadas, Ny. intermedia, a 6ª mais abundante, predominou na área de camping aberto. Baixas freqüências de flebotomíneos foram observadas nas cavernas, onde Evandromyia edwardsi predominou. Destaca-se a captura de Lutzomyia longipalpis, principal vetor do agente da leishmaniose visceral americana, sendo o registro mais meridional da mata Alântica.

The Parque Estadual do Alto Ribeira (PETAR) with about 250 caves, in an Atlantic forest reserve, is an important ecotourist attraction in the Ribeira Valley, an endemic area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). With the purpose of investigating Leishmania vector species bothersome to humans the sandfly fauna was identified and some of its ecological aspects in the Santana nucleus, captures were undertaken monthly with automatic light traps in 11 ecotopes, including caves, forests, a camping site and domiciliary environments, and on black and white Shannon traps, from January/2001 to December/2002. A total of 2,449 sandflies representing 21 species were captured. The highest values of abundance obtained in the captures with automatic light traps were for Psathyromyia pascalei and Psychodopygus ayrozai. A total of 107 specimens representing 13 species were captured on black (12 species) and white (6 species) Shannon traps set simultaneously. Psychodopygus geniculatus females predominated on the black (43.75%), and Psathyromyia lanei and Ps. ayrozai equally (32.4%) on the white. Nyssomyia intermedia and Nyssomyia neivai, both implicated in the transmission of ACL in the Brazilian Southeastern region, were also captured. Ny. intermedia predominated in the open camping area. Low frequencies of phlebotomines were observed in the caves, where Evandromyia edwardsi predominated Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of the American visceral leishmaniasis, was aslo present. This is its most southernly reported occurrence in the Atlantic forest.

The dispersal and survival of the phlebotomines Nyssomyia intermedia and Nyssomyia neivai (both implicated as vectors of the cutaneous leishmaniasis agent) in an endemic area was investigated using a capture-mark-release technique in five experiments from August-December 2003 in municipality of Iporanga, state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 1,749 males and 1,262 females of Ny. intermedia and 915 males and 411 females of Ny. neivai were marked and released during the five experiments. Recapture attempts were made using automatic light traps, aspiration in natural resting places and domestic animal shelters and Shannon traps. A total of 153 specimens (3.48%) were recaptured: 2.59% (78/3,011) for Ny. intermedia and 5.35% (71/1,326) for Ny. neivai. Both species were recaptured up to 144 h post-release, with the larger part of them recaptured within 48 h. The median dispersion distances for Ny. intermedia and Ny. neivai, respectively, were 109 m and 100 m. The greatest dispersal range of Ny. intermedia was 180 m, while for Ny. neivai one female was recaptured in a pasture at 250 m and another in a pigsty at 520 m, showing a tendency to disperse to more open areas. The daily survival rates calculated based on regressions of the numbers of marked insects recaptured on the six successive days after release were 0.746 for males and 0.575 for females of Ny. intermedia and 0.649 for both sexes of Ny. neivai. The size of the populations in the five months ranged from 8,332-725,085 for Ny. intermedia males, 2,193-104,490 for Ny. intermedia females, 1,687-350,122 for Ny. neivai males and 254-49,705 for Ny. neivai females.

The capture of a new species of the subgenus Migonemyia Galati, 1995 (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae), Migonemyia vaniae sp. nov. in the Ribeira Valley, state of São Paulo, Brazil, together with the other two species: Mg. migonei (França, 1920) and Mg. rabelloi (Galati & Gomes, 1992) lead us to review this subgenus. The new species was described and illustrated. The genitalia of the two other species were also illustrated and some genital characteristics (number of setae on the gonocoxite tuft, ejaculatory ducts and pump and ducts/pump ratio; and number of setae on the tergite VIII of the females) considered important to differentiate the three species, including five populations of Mg. migonei (from Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southern Brazilian regions and of Peru) were submitted to variance analyses. The Mg. migonei population of Northeastern Brazilian region showed distinct smaller values (P < 0.05) than the other Brazilian populations studied as regarding these characteristics. The capture of both sexes of these three species in sympatry confirms the association between the sexes of Mg. rabelloi, recognised as doubtful when this species was originally described. Identification keys for male and female of the three species are presented.

Lutzomyia longipalpis e Lutzomyia almerioi, espécies integrantes da fauna flebotomínea da Serra da Bodoquena, no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, têm sido objeto de estudo devido às suas elevadas abundâncias no Assentamento Guaicurus, foco de leishmaniose tegumentar humana e visceral canina. Em pesquisas que vem sendo realizadas neste acampamento para a identificação de vetores destas parasitoses, foram capturados no período de 2002 a 2004, com armadilhas automáticas luminosas, instaladas em ambiente peridoméstico (galinheiro), 83 exemplares ingurgitados de Lutzomyia longipalpis e Lutzomyia almerioi. O presente estudo teve como objetivo a investigação do hábito alimentar para ave das fêmeas de ambas as espécies de flebotomíneos, mediante o emprego da técnica imunoenzimática de captura,comparando-se a reatividade durante os anos de 2002 a 2004. Dentre 57 amostras de Lutzomyia longipalpis e 26 de Lutzomyia almerioi, foram encontradas 72% reagentes para ave em Lutzomyia longipalpis e 96% em Lutzomyia almerioi, o que justifica o estudo do hábito alimentar na região, como medida de prevenção e instituição de vigilância epidemiológica.

Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia almerioi, phlebotomine species from the fauna of Serra da Bodoquena, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, have been studied, particularly due to the fact of their abundance and occurrence, the Guaicurus settlement, focus of human tegumentary and canine visceral leishmaniasis. In researches that are being carried out in this settlement for identifying the vectors of these parasitosis, 83 engorged females belonging to the species Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia almerioi were captured with automatic light traps from 2002 up to 2004 in the peridomiciliary environment of the Guaicurus settlement (hennery).The aim of this study was the investigation on bird feeding habit of females of both the phlebotomine species by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique, comparing the reactivity during the period from 2002 up to 2004. Of the 57 samples of Lutzomyia longipalpis and 26 of Lutzomyia almerioi that have been tested, 72% from Lutzomyia longipalpis and 96% from Lutzomyia almerioi were reactive, which justifies the feeding habit study in the region as a prevention measure and the institution of an epidemiological survey.

A identificação de sangue ingerido pelos insetos é um importante parâmetro para elucidar aspectos ligados à transmissão de zoonoses, dentre elas, as leishmanioses. Dos métodos empregados para esclarecer a atração de vetores por animais que possam atuar como reservatórios dessas parasitoses, destacam-se os imunológicos. O estudo teve como objetivo, padronizar a técnica imunoenzimática de captura e titular amostras de sangue ingerido em fêmeas de flebotomíneos ingurgitadas de Lutzomyia longipalpis criadas em laboratório e alimentadas experimentalmente em rato. Em vista da alta sensibilidade, favorecida pelo sistema avidina-biotina, foi possível a realização de pelo menos noventa testes, de cada uma das amostras em duplicata, e constatar a presença de sangue para todas as amostras com períodos de 12 e 24 horas pós-ingestão, observando-se diferença significativa entre os respectivos títulos.

Bloodmeals taken by insects constitute an important parameter for clarifying aspects of the transmission of zoonoses, including leishmaniases. Immunological assays can be used to investigate the attraction of vectors to animals, which may be hosts of these parasitoses. The objective of this study was to standardize a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and titer samples with different time periods of digestion, in laboratory-bred Lutzomyia longipalpis fed on rats. In the light of the high sensitivity that the biotin-avidin method permits, the technique provided at least ninety repeat tests for each sample and identified recent bloodmeals taken by these insects. Bloodmeals were detectable up to 12 and 24h after blood ingestion, and a significant difference between these titers was observed.

Micropygomyia (Sauromyia) petari sp. nov. (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) from speleological province of the Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo State, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This new taxon belongs to oswaldoi series.

Esta nota relata a descrição cronológica da Coleção Entomológica do Instituto Butantan e relaciona o registro de 343 espécimens e oito exemplares tipo pertencentes à Subfamilia Triatominae depositados nesta Coleção. São representados nesta listagem 5 espécies do Gênero Panstrongylus, 18 espécies de Triatoma, 2 espécies de Psamolestes e Rhodnius

A list of 8 type specimens belonging to the Subfamily Triatominaeis deposited in the Entomological Colection of the Instituto Butantan. This note reports a chronological description of the Collection including 343 specimens represented by 5 species of Panstrongylus, 18 species of Triatoma, 2 species of Psamolestes and Rhodnius

Estudou-se em laboratório a influência de duas diferentes fontes de alimentação sobre oviposição, eclosão dos ovos e tempo de vida de casais de Triatoma matogrossensis. Foram observados 68 casais separados em quatro diferentes grupos, com 20, 12, 20 e 16 casais, respectivamente. Os grupos A1 e A 2 foram alimentados em pombos e os grupos C1 e C 2 em coelhos. Os casais foram mantidos em estufa a 26o ± 2oC e UR de 60-80%, com fotoperíodo de 14 horas. O maior número de ovos postos foi encontrado no grupo A1. Não houve diferença na proporção de ovos eclodidos dos grupos alimentados em coelhos ou pombos. Não foram observadas diferenças de tempo de vida entre machos e fêmeas dos quatro grupos, entretanto o grupo A1 apresentou o maior tempo de sobrevivência e o grupo C2 o menor.

A laboratory study was carried out concerning the influence of two kinds of blood-meal on egg laying, egg hatching and life span of Triatoma matogrossensis. 68 couples in 4 different groups with 20, 12, 20 and 16 individuals of each sex per group were formed. Maintained under laboratory conditions groups A1 and A2 were fed on pigeons and groups C1 and C2 were fed on rabbits. In relation to egg laying the best results were found in group A1. No differences on egg hatching were found between the groups fed on rabbits and those fed on pigeons. Concerning the life span, no differences between males and females in the 4 groups were observed but group A1 presented the longest life span and group C2 the shortest.