Psychodidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moth Flies and Sand Flies
Psychoda alternata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Suborder: Nematocera Infraorder: Psychodomorpha Family: Psychodidae
Subfamilies
Bruchomyiinae Phlebotominae Psychodinae Trichomyiinae

The Nematoceran family Psychodidae (moth flies or drain flies) are small flies (Diptera) with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” appearance. The adults have long antennae and the wings are leaf-shaped, either slender or broad, with the most elementary wing venation of any Diptera, having little more than a series of parallel veins without crossveins. Adult Psychodidae are mostly nocturnal and associated with damp habitats (non-phlebotomines). The larvae live in aquatic habitats (often with low oxygen), including bathroom sinks - they are common nuisance pests in bathrooms.

The subfamily Phlebotominae, often called sand flies (Ceratopogonidae are also sometimes called sand flies), includes many blood feeding species. This subfamily is sometimes treated as a separate family (Phlebotomidae). A key genus is Phlebotomus. Phlebotominae are a very important group medically, transmitting various tropical diseases, but most importantly leishmaniasis (Kala Azar).

In the New World, the genus incriminated for the transmission of leishmaniasis is Lutzomyia. Lutzomyia chagasi is responsible for the visceral form, while others like Lutzomyia gomezi and Lutzomyia longipalpis may be responsible for transmitting the cutaneous and muco-cutaneous forms of this tropical disease.

Sycoracinae, another subfamily, is also of hematophagous habits, but until now has not been linked to any disease.

• See also Use of DNA in forensic entomology

[edit] References

• Quate, L.W. 1955. A revision of the Psychodidae (Diptera) in America north of Mexico. University of California Publications in Entomology.
• Quate, L.W. & B.V. Brown. 2004. Revision of Neotropical Setomimini (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae). Contributions in Science, 500: 1-117.
• Vaillant, F. 1971. Psychodidae - Psychodinae. In: E. Lindner, ed. Die Fliegen der Palaearktischen Region, 9d, Lieferung 287: 1-48.
• Young, D.G. & P.V. Perkins. 1984. Phlebotomine sand flies of North America (Diptera: Psychodidae). Mosquito News, 44: 263-304.

[edit] External links

1. Iziko Museum of Cape Town's Psychodidae Web Page
2. Virginia Cooperative Extension
3. Ohio State University Extension
4. Xespok's Image Gallery