Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the State of Pernambuco

Phlebotomine sand flies are small insects of great medical relevance. This article presents an updated list of the phlebotomine sand flies occurring in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. A review of literature published since the 1940s up to May 2010 was conducted and voucher material deposited in reference collections were studied. A total of 37 phlebotomine species have previously been reported as occurring in Pernambuco, but the record of six species needs confirmation. This work provides an updated list of phlebotomine sand flies of Pernambuco, with some notes on their taxonomy, ecology, distribution and epidemiological relevance.