Abstract

Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. While bacterial associations in sand fly microbiota are well studied, fungal communities remain poorly characterized, despite their potential role in insect biology and parasite transmission. This study aimed to isolate and characterize yeast-like and filamentous fungi from different developmental stages of Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas, to expand knowledge on fungal microbiota and its possible relevance to vector–parasite interactions. Sand fly eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults were sampled from a laboratory colony. Fungi were isolated from insect tissues and diets using culture-based methods. Morphological identification was complemented by partial sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region to identify the species. Four fungi were consistently recovered: Candida guilliermondii, Cutaneotrichosporon dermatis, Penicillium sp., and Aspergillus sp. Their presence varied across developmental stages. Presence in the gut was observed for Cu. dermatis, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. in larvae and C. guilliermondii in adult females. Evidence suggested their presence in different stages from larvae to pupae, and sex-specific differences in adults, with fungi detected only in females. This work documented the mycobiota that may be associated with L. longipalpis, including the first report of Cutaneotrichosporon in sand flies. These findings highlight fungi that may be potential modulators of sand fly biology and Leishmania development, warranting further investigation into their ecological and epidemiological roles.

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