Lutzomyia (
Lutzomyia)
cruzi
has been named as a probable vector of
Leishmania chagasi
in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Taxonomically
L. cruzi is closely related to the
L. longipalpis species complex. Females of
L. cruzi and
L. longipalpis are morphologically indistinguishable and associated males must be examined carefully to confirm identifications. Chemical analysis hexane extracts of male
L. cruzi has revealed the presence of a 9-methylgermacrene-B (C16), a homosesquiterpene (mw 218) previously shown to be the sex pheromone of one of the members of the
L. longipalpis species complex.
