lutz shannoni

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Male Lutzomyia shannoni (side view)

Male Lutzomyia shannoni (head)

Male Lutzomyia shannoni (claspers)

Female Lutzomyia shannoni (side view)

Sand fly bite on human

Female Lutzomyia shannoni (side view)

Male Lutzomyia vexator (side view)

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Photo: L. Minter, 2007

Sand Flies: Lutzomyia shannoni and L. vexator

So What are Sand Flies?

Phlebotomine sand flies are small, hairy true files, which are members
of the moth fly family (Psychodidae). However female sand flies, unlike moth flies, feed on the blood of vertebrate animals and are responsible for vectoring a number of pathogens. The most notable and well known sand fly vectored illness world wide is the parasitic disease, Leishmaniasis, which is often called Kala Azar or Baghdad Boil.

In the New World, anthropophilic (human biting) sand flies have historically been known to occur throughout most of South and central America, and extend along the coastline of the United States from Texas to Maryland.

Lutzomyia shannoni has been found in increasing numbers over the past few years, and has been found along a northeasterly band extending from the southwestern corner of the state, through the bluegrass, and into the Ohio valley.

Overall, very little is known about the natural history of these insects, other than that they often occur in habitats along the edges of dry, open woodlands. Sand flies, in general, actively seek hosts in the hours following dusk. In Kentucky, the highest activity has been recorded during the late summer and early fall seasons. The extent of the range of these insects throughout the Commonwealth is currently not fully known. Research is currently being conducted to gain a better understanding of these insects and their potential as a public health threat.

In recent years, two species of sand flies have been detected in Kentucky. One of these species, Lutzomyia vexator, is of little concern from a public health standpoint, as the females are only known to feed on the blood of reptiles and amphibians. To date, this species has only been found in extremely southwestern Kentucky.

The other species, Lutzomyia shannoni, is well known for its anthropophilic behavior. Lutzomyia shannoni has also been documented as a capable vector of several species of Leishmania parasites, as well as, the New Jersey serotype of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV). These two species are impossible to distinguish with out aid of magnification.