Egg surface sculpturing of three species of Phlebotomus sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Jordan

The eggs of Phlebotomus (Larroussius) syriacus Adler and Theodor, P. (L.) m ascittii Adler and Theodor, and P. (Paraphlebotomus) kazeruni Theodor and M esghali showed differences in size and egg slit measurements, as well as ch aracteristic egg shell sculpturing patterns upon examination under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The eggs of P. syriacus had a general pattern o f reticular ridges, while those of P. mascittii showed two different patter ns corresponding to dorsal (parallel ridges) and lateral (ellipses) sides. The egg shell of P. kazeruni was in the form of connected double parallel r idges. These sculpturing patterns were compared with those of other Phlebot omus species for their potential use in the ootaxonomy of Old World sandfli es.