Ecology of Lutzomyia longipalpis in an area of visceral leishmaniasis transmission in north-eastern Brazil

► Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum in the New World. ► We assessed the ecology of phlebotomine sand flies in northeastern Brazil. ► Lutzomyia longipalpis was the dominant species. ► Lutzomyia longipalpis is adapted to human dwellings and to different climates. ► Northeastern L. longipalpis populations appear more xerotolerant than southern ones.