REPORT ON A COLLECTION OF LUTZOMYIA SAND FLIES (DIPTERA, PSYCHODIDAE)FROM THE MIDDLE SOLIMOES (AMAZONAS, BRAZIL)

Fifty-two species of Lutzomyia sand flies were identified in contempor aneous samples totalling only 1875 individuals, collected at the same site in tall primary terra-firme rainforest, near the south bank of th e Solimoes River The most abundant species belonged to the subgenera T richophoromyia and Nyssomyia. The subgenera Psathyromyia, Nyssomyia an d Psychodopygus represented the greatest number of species. A new, abe rrant species of the subgenus Psathyromyia (L. cultellata) and the fem ale of Lu. souzacastroi are described. The Phlebotominae are proposed as a suitable indicator group for biogeographic and diversity studies.