A NEW SANDFLY SPECIES, PHLEBOTOMUS (LARROUSSIUS) ASHFORDI (DIPTERA, PSYCHODIDAE) FROM ETHIOPIA, PREVIOUSLY CONFUSED WITH P-(L-)ACULEATUS

The sandfly subgenus Phlebotomus (Larroussius) contains species which transmit parasites causing cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Eas t Africa, including Ethiopia. The Gewasha caves in central Ethiopia ha rbour a new species (Phlebotomus ashfordi) belonging to the subgenus L arroussius and previously identified as P. (L.) aculeatus Lewis, Minte r and Ashford. Although generally similar to P. (L.) aculeatus and P. (L.) elgonensis Ngoka, Madel and Mutinga, the species is distinct in e ight male characters and in the female spermatheca. Given its taxonomi c affinity to known vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis and the presenc e of disease in the Gewasha caves area, the medical importance of this species needs to be assessed.