MORPHOLOGICAL-STUDY OF THE LARVAL SPIRACULAR SYSTEM IN 8 LUTZOMYIA SPECIES (DIPTERA, PSYCHODIDAE)

The morphology of the spiracles of fourth instar larva in eight sandfl y species were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Spe cies studied were. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), L. ovallesi ( Ortiz), L. youngi Feliciangeli & Murillo, L. evansi (Nunez-Tovar), L. trinidadensis (Newstead), L. migonei (Franca), L. absonodonta Felician geli, and L. venezuelensis (Floch & Abonnenc). In larvae of all eight species both thoracic and abdominal spiracles are located at the top o f a globular bulge. Their structure consists of a spiracular plate wit h a sclerotized central portion and a rose-like peripheral portion. Th e latter has circularly arranged papillae, separated from each other b y elongated septa. Each papilla is longitudinally crossed by a fine cl eft dividing it into two identical parts. The taxonomic and adaptative value of spiracular morphology is discussed.