online | memorias.ioc.fiocruz.br Lutzomyia longipalpis urbanisation and control

Since the description of Lutzomyia longipalpis by Lutz and Neiva more than 100 years ago, much has been writ-ten in the scientific literature about this phlebotomine species. Soares and Turco (2003) and Lainson and Rangel (2005) have written extensive reviews focused on vector-host-parasite interactions and American visceral leishman-iasis ecology. However, during the last two decades, the success of Lu. longipalpis in colonising urban environments and its simultaneous geographical spreading have led to new theoretical and operational questions. Therefore, this review updates the general information about this species and notes the more challenging topics regarding the new scenario of urbanisation-spreading and its control in America. Here, we summarise the literature on these issues and the remaining unsolved questions, which pose recommendations for operational research. Key words: Lutzomyia longipalpis- American visceral leishmaniasis- urbanisation- control to neighbouring areas, leading to at least 130 cases in 2010 (Canese 2010), with cases also in the Brazil-Paraguay and Argentina-Paraguay border (Cousiño 2006). In Argentina, the first record of urban Lu. longipal-pis occurred on the border with Paraguay, close to Asun-ción (Salomón & Orellano 2005). After the emergenc