A revised numerical chaetotaxy for neotropical phlebotomine sandfly larvae (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Abstract

Phlebotominc larval taxonomy is briefly reviewed with particular refercnce to New World species. of which undcr one fifth nave been udcquately described as immature stages. A new numerical chaetotaxy is proposed following studies on thc larvae of six species from Brazil. Setal numeration is used in a manner which demonstrates apparent segmental homologies and lhe use of letter designations for some setae has been reduced. With two exceptions the mesothoracic. metathoracic and abdominal setae are homologized with those of the posterior prothorax and the anterior prothoracic setae are regarded as atypical.