The genital atrium as a good taxonomic character to distinguish between species of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera : Psychodidae) from Venezuela

The shape and size of the genital atria of 17 phlebotomine sandflies from V enezuela were examined. The atria were found to express constant characters among individuals of the same species and to be sufficiently different bet ween species to allow taxonomic separation. The spines on the genital armat ure are described and the characters that can be used to classify individua l specimens to species level identified. It is suggested that these charact ers can be of use on specimens where the spermathecae have been lost or whe re cryptic species are concerned. Dissection procedures to display the atri um are given.