Variations in sex ratio, feeding and fecundity of Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) between habitats in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

PAYET, V., M. J. RAMIREZ-SIERRA, J. RABINOVICH, F. MENU, AND E. DUMONTEIL

VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES

MARY ANN LIEBERT INC

Año: 2008 vol. 9 p. 243 - 251

1530-3667

Chagas’ disease is a major public health concern in most Latin American countries and its prevention is based  on insect vector control. Previous work showed that in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, houses are transiently  infested by adult Triatoma dimidiata, which then fail to establish sustained colonies. The present study was designed  to evaluate the seasonality and possible causes of the dispersal of sylvatic T. dimidiata toward the houses  and the subsequent failure of colonization. Dispersal was highly seasonal and correlated with temperature,  pressure, and wind speed. Analysis of sex ratio, feeding status, and fecundity of sylvatic populations of T.  dimidiata indicated a rather low feeding status and low potential fecundity, suggesting that seasonal dispersal  may be associated with foraging for better conditions. Also, feeding status and potential fecundity tended to  improve in the domestic habitat but remained largely suboptimal, suggesting that these factors may contribute  to the ineffective colonization of this habitat.