Abstract

In Colombia, the taxonomical understanding of ectoparasites (Diptera: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) of bats is scarce, despite the high diversity of hosts. This fact reflects the lack of important information on the group and poses the need for studies that expand the knowledge on bat ectoparasites in different regions of the country. The aim of this study was to contribute pioneer knowledge on bat ectoparasitic insects in the department of Caldas, located in the Central Andes Mountain range of Colombia. We assessed 318 bats from four eco parks in the city of Manizales, and collected 234 ectoparasitic insects. We provide the first report of the family Streblidae for Caldas, with seven genera and eight species: Anastrebla caudiferaeWenzel, 1976Wenzel, R.L. 1976. The streblid batflies of Venezuela (Diptera: Streblidae). Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, 20(4): 1-177., Anatrichobius scorzaiWenzel, 1966Wenzel, R.L.; Tipton, V.J. & Kiewlicz, A. 1966. The streblid batflies of Panama (Diptera: Calypterae: Streblidae). In: Wenzel, R.L. & Tipton, V.J. (Eds.). Ectoparasites of Panama. Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History. p. 405-675., Exastinion oculatumWenzel, 1976Wenzel, R.L. 1976. The streblid batflies of Venezuela (Diptera: Streblidae). Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, 20(4): 1-177., Megistopoda proxima (Séguy‚ 1926), Paratrichobius longicrus Ribeiro, 1907, Paraeuctenodes similisWenzel, 1976Wenzel, R.L. 1976. The streblid batflies of Venezuela (Diptera: Streblidae). Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, 20(4): 1-177., Trichobius longipes Rudow, 1871, and Trichobius tiptoniWenzel, 1976Wenzel, R.L. 1976. The streblid batflies of Venezuela (Diptera: Streblidae). Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, 20(4): 1-177.. In addition, we report the species Basilia ferrisi Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1931 and Basilia sp. for the family Nycteribiidae.

Key-Words.
Insects; Ectoparasites; Bats; Caldas