The protozoan genus Leishmania neighbors Trypanosoma. Distinct mosquito, tse fly, sand fly and triatomid bug vectors are taxonomic characters. Lutzomyia and Brumptomyia are taxonomically understood as not Phlebotomus even though they all seem closely allied sand flies.

The striking feature of Trypanosoma cruzi is amastigotes, a stage that is unique in this genus.