Characterization of melanic and non-melanic forms in domestic and peridomestic populations of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

ROMINA PICCINALLI; LILIANACROCCO; ROMINA PICCINALLI; LILIANACROCCO; ANA LAURA CARBAJAL DE LA FUENTE; CLAUDIA RODRÍGUEZ; ANA LAURA CARBAJAL DE LA FUENTE; CLAUDIA RODRÍGUEZ; JULIETA NATTERO; MIARIAM CARDOZO; JULIETA NATTERO; MIARIAM CARDOZO

PARASITES AND VECTORS

BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

Año: 2020

1756-3305

Melanic (dark) morphs have been barely reported in peridomestic and sylvatic conditions for Triatomainfestans, the most important vector of Chagas disease in the Southern Cone of South America. Adults with dark andsmall yellow markings on the connexivum were collected after manual searches conducted by technical personnelin 62 domiciliary units in Cruz del Eje, Córdoba Province, Argentina. The last community-wide insecticide sprayingcampaign before the study had been conducted three years earlier. We investigated if there was a measurable colormorph variation (melanic and non-melanic) in wings and connexivum; we determined infestation, distribution ofmelanic and non-melanic forms, and correspondence of colorimetric variation with variations in morphology (wingsize and shape and body length), development (wing fuctuating asymmetry), physiology (nutritional status) orbehaviour (fight initiation)