The distribution of
Lutzomyia longipalpis
is heterogeneous with a pattern of high abundance areas (HAAs) embedded
in a matrix of low abundance areas (LAAs). The objective of this study was to describe the variability in the
abundance of
Lu. longipalpis at two different spatial levels and to analyse the relationship between the abundance and
multiple environmental variables. Of the environmental variables analysed in each household, the condition that best
explained the differences in vector abundance between HAA-LAA was the variable "land_grass", with greater average
values in the peridomestic environments within the LAA, and the variables "#sp tree", "#pots" and "dist_water" that
were higher in the HAA. Of the environmental variables analysed in the patches, the variable "unpaved_streets" was
higher in the LAAs and the variable "prop_inf _dogs" was higher in the HAAs. An understanding of the main environmental
variables that influence the vector distribution could contribute to the development of strategies for the prevention
and control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This is the first work in which environmental variables are analysed
at the micro-scale in urban areas at the southern edge of the current range of
Lu. longipalpis. Our results represent a
significant contribution to the understanding of the abundance of the vector in the peridomestic habitats of the region.