ABSTRACT
Sand fl ies belong to order Diptera, family Psychodidae, and subfamily phlebotominae. They lay eggs in terrestrial habitats that are rich in decomposed organic material such as dried leaves and feces of various animals including rodents. Sand fl ies have four larval instars, a pupal stage, and an adult stage in their life cycle. Adult sand fl ies are slow fl ying insects whose bodies are covered with long setae giving them a hairy appearance (Fig. 1). Although, most sand fl ies look similar in their external appearance, they show distinct morphological differences on closer examination. External morphological differences such as male claspers in combination with shape of internal organs like differences in shape of pharynx and, in case of females, the shape of their spermathecae (Fig. 2) are used to differentiate species. Conspecifi c species below the level of genera are identifi ed by
associating wild caught males and females. Appendages on the head, its height from the vertex to the tip of the clypeus, together with its width are also used in taxonomic identifi cations. Internal structures of the head, such as the pharynx and pharyngeal teeth are also used in identifi cation. Similarly, length and width of the wings are used in identifi cation (Young 1979). Individuals interested in learning sand fl y taxonomy are referred to start with current works by Young (1979), Young and Duncan (1994) and work of earlier taxonomists.
