A Simple Technique for Mass Rearing Lutzomyia Longipalpis and Phlebotomus Papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Laboratory1

Abstract

A simple technique for mass rearing phlebotomine sand flies (Phlebotomus papatasi and Lutzomyia longipalpis) in the laboratory is described. Using this method, 4000–5000 adults can be produced weekly with minimal labor (2–3 h of care per day). This is the first report of mass production of sand flies, a group of insects that heretofore has been difficult to colonize and maintain under laboratory conditions.