| The phlebotomine sand flies,
Phlebotomus
spp
(Old World sand flies) and
Lutzomyia
spp
(New World sand flies), are members of the family Psychodidae. These flies are confined primarily to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Members of these genera are tiny, moth-like flies, ~1.5-4 mm long. The legs are as long as the antennae, comprising 16 segments that often have a beaded, hairy appearance. They are commonly known as sand flies,
moth flies, or
owl midges. The key morphologic feature for identification is that the body of the sand fly is covered with fine hairs. The females have piercing mouthparts and feed on blood of a variety of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Many species feed on reptiles. Male sand flies suck moisture from any available source and are even said to suck perspiration from people. Sand flies tend to be active only at night and, in contrast to black
flies, are weak fliers; their flying is deterred by air currents, even slight ones. During the day, sand flies seek protection in crevices and caves, among vegetation, and within dark buildings. They often seek protection within rodent and armadillo burrows; these mammals can serve as reservoir hosts for
Leishmania
spp
. Sand flies breed in dark, humid environments that have a supply of organic matter that serves as food for the larvae. They do not breed in aquatic environments. |
| Pathology: |
| These tiny flies serve as an intermediate host for
Leishmania
spp
, a protozoan parasite that infects the reticuloendothelial cells of capillaries, the spleen, and other organs but may be seen in monocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and macrophages of humans, dogs, cats, horses, and sheep (see also
Visceral Leishmaniasis: Introduction). |
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| Diagnosis: |
| Like black flies, sand flies can most often be collected in the field and are not found on animals. They can be identified by their small size and hairy wings and bodies. Identification of genus and species is probably best left to an entomologist. |
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| Treatment and Control: |
| Insecticide spraying of larval habitat is usually not possible because of the difficulty of accessing their breeding sites. Removal of dense vegetation discourages breeding. Spraying of residual insecticides on surfaces in the home is the main way to control sand flies; however, this is ineffective for species that bite away from the home. Generally speaking, populations of sand flies have been reduced as a result of intense mosquito control programs. |
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