P. alexandri P. ariasi P. argentipes P. azizi P. balcanicus P. brevis P. chabaudi P. kyreniae P. langeroni P. longicuspis P. longiductus P. major P. mascittii P. papatasi P. perfiliewi P. perniciosus P. riouxi P. sergenti P. simici P. tobbi Phlebotomus is a genus of "sand flies" in the Diptera family Psychodidae.

[citation needed] The parasite Leishmania donovani is the main causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, where it is transmitted by the sand flies of the species Phlebotomus argentipes.

[citation needed] Adults are about 1.5–3.0 mm long and yellowish in colour, with conspicuous black eyes, and hairy bodies, wings, and legs.

[citation needed] Batches of thirty to seventy eggs are laid in cracks and holes in the ground, in crevices in masonry and among leaf litter.

The larvae pass through four instars over the course of three to four weeks, before selecting an upright position and pupating, with the final larval skin remaining attached to the pupa, the long hairs protruding.

[7] Laboratory colonies of several Phlebotomus species have been established for experimental study of their biology, behaviour, mutual relations with disease agents, and for testing methods of vector control.

[8] The adult flies are nocturnal, spending the day sheltering in dark humid places such as on bark, among foliage, among leaf litter, in animal burrows, in termite mounds, and in cracks and crevices.