Taxonomy

Sand flies are members of the phylum Arthropoda and belong to the class of Insecta. This class is the largest group of animals with respect to the number of species (~773,000) and individuals. Among other characteristics three body sections are typical of this class.
As mosquitoes, sand flies are members of the suborder Nematocera. Both members can be recognized by their many segmented antennae, which are usually long. Most of the nematocerans are small, slender and long-legged, usually midge- or mosquito-like in appearance.
Of the about 700 phlebotomine sand fly species, only about 70 are anthropophagous. Phlebotomines are able to transmit viral, bacterial and parasite diseases (Mehlhorn, 2001).

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Evolution

Fossil phlebotomines are about 120 million years old (Mehlhorn, 2001).

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Distribution

The family Phlebotomidae is largely tropical with a mainly Palaearctic element, the genus Phlebotomus, which includes some tropical mammalophilic species. In the Old World sand flies tend to be more numerous in relatively dry zones. In the New World they favour the forests which cover much of the tropics. Of medical importance in tropical areas are Lutzomyia species, which are especially common in forested areas of Central and South America.

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Epidemiology

Sand flies have a limited chance to find a host while the distance they can travel is short compared with some flies or even mosquitoes. They often move in short hops. Most of them remain within 20-30 cm of the soil surface.
Sand flies are usually not found at great altitudes, but have been reported as vector of the uta called form of dermal leishmaniosis at 2800 m (in Peru). Sand flies often stay close to the ground, but some American forests sand flies bite in the canopy, some at all levels or in a middle zone while following their hosts (Shaw et al. 1972).

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Veterinary and Medical Importance

Veterinary and medical importance of sand flies is mainly determined by their capability of disease transmission.

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