The development of four isolates of Leishmania from foci of American cutaneous leishmaniasis was studied in Lutzomyia longipalpis. The suggestion that the differences in the development of the Leishmania in the invertebrate host are of great taxonomic significance was confirmed. The pattern of development of three strains was typical of parasites of the subgenus Leishmania, the other was similar to Leishmania of the subgenus Viannia. The identification of the strains using other criteria is in agreement with biological characterization. The results show that the morphological and morphometric study of promastigotes do not clearly define the taxonomic position of the parasites but other studies are needed to confirm this.

The effect of deltamethrin of the sandfly population in a focus of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Viana, Espírito Santo State is desvribed. The phlebotomine population density was determined inside and outside houses during a one year period in a treated and untreated area. The results showed a significant reduction in the number of sandflies inside houses in the treated area compared with both the untreated area and the same area before sparying. Despite having a residual action for 12 months after spraying the insecticide was ineffective outside houses. It is concluded therefore that deltamethrin is an efficient insecticide for reducing the number of phlebotomine sandflies inside houses.

Para captura de pequenos insetos descrevemos uma armadilha que julgamos vantajosa, pela facilidade de obtanção de seu material de construção, por ser de baixo custo,portátil, resistente, utilizar pilhas e, sendo opaca, possibilitar uma maior concentração de luz sobre o orifício de entrada de insetos.

A new model of a fan-suction lighttrap for collecting small insects is described. Its advantages include easily obtained material, robust construction, battery operation, portability and low cost. in addition, being opaque it permits a high concentration of light on the opening through which the insects are sucked in.