Abstract
The number of species of the genus Lutzomyia found in the North coast of Colombia is relatively small compared to the diversity observed in other biogeographic zones of the country. In part, this situation may be attributed to the many unexplored areas that remain in the region. The goal of this study was to examine the diversity of the genus Lutzomyia in the Reserva Forestal Protectora Serranía de Coraza y Montes de María, department of Sucre. Insects were collected in April and June 2006, by using a modified CDC light trap operated between 18:00 and 06:00 hours. A total of 3,335 specimens were obtained belonging to eight species, including L. evansi, L. panamensis, L. longipalpis, L. gomezi, L. trinidadensis, L. dubitans, L. carpenteri and L. camposi. Four medically important species were the most abundant, L. evansi with 97.24% of the sand flies found, followed by L. panamensis with 2.01%, L. longipalpis with 0.33%, and L. gomezi with 0.27%. The presence of L. carpenteri and L. camposi is discussed from the taxonomic and biogeographic viewpoint as the first representatives of the Lutzomyia aragaoi group and the subgenus Pressatia, respectively, found in the Colombian Atlantic coast.
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