Introduction:

Nyssomyia yuilli (Young & Porter, 1972) and Nyssomyia trapidoi (Farchild & Hertig, 1952) are vectors of Leishmania panamensis (Lainson y Shaw, 1972), causal of cutaneous leishmaniasis in several American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Panama.

Objective:

Describe the nocturnal activity of N. yuilli and N. trapidoi in Otanche Municipality, endemic zone of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Methods:

The specimens were collected through CDC traps located in the intra and peri-domicile of homes that had antecedents or active cases of infected people with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Results:

N. yuilli present increased activity near midnight, while N. trapidoi not show any increase and maintained a constant activity throughout the night.

Conclusions:

It was observed that N. yuilli demonstrates typical conduct of a forest species, with peaks of activity at midnight, while N. trapidoi shows behaviour of an anthropophilic species that has been adapted to life near to human residences, with constant activity throughout the night without any sporadic increases.