TAXONOMIC REVIEW OF SAND FLIES OF THE SUBGENUS PARAPHLEBOTOMUS THEODOR (DIPTERA: PSYCHODIDAE)

This subgenus occurs mainly in Palearctic region and is represented by several species in the countries of Afrotropical Region, the eastern Mediterranean Region, Asia and includes several vectors of cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Several species of this subgenus has not been reported from Pakistan, however, their presence in Pakistan cannot be ruled out. Therefore, in view of important vectorial role of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus Theodor, diagnostic characters, relation with disease and geographical distribution of its fourteen species are reviewed in the present paper. To help the zoologists and medical researchers for the correct identification of each species, a key, differential characters and photographs of their important structures are also given here.