The sandfly Lutzomyia evansi from a focus of visceral
leishmaniasis in northern Colombia was reared and maintained under
laboratory conditions for five generations. The average time for total
development was 41.8 days (range = 35.1- 49.6) at 25 C and 89-95% of
relative humidity. The mean number of eggs laid was lower in laboratory
bred females either in pots (13.2 eggs/female) or vials (29.9 eggs/female)
than in wild caught females (33.4 eggs/female). Immature mortality, mainly
due to fungal and mite contamination, was higher during the first two
instars than in the remaining immature stages. Adults were robust and
healthy although difficult to feed on hamster or chick skin membrane. In
summary, Lu. evansi is a colonizable species but requires specific
conditions.
