Care and maintenance of triatomine colonies

Abstract

The family Reduviidae, subfamily Triatominae, indudes more than 110 species, several of which are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease or American trypanosomiasis. Triatomines are common in the Americas, from the southern USA throughout Latin America, south to Patagonia. Chagas’ disease is endemic in 17 countries within this region. Some triatomines are sylvatic and are found in the safety of burrows and nests of wild vertebrates (didelphis, rodents and birds), rocks (especially associated with small rodents), fallen timber, hollow trees, roots, palms and bromeliads. Many species are found in peridomestic locations and in domestic animal houses, whilst others are domestic, occurring inside poor human habitation even when minimum conditions of shelter and food are offered. Domiciliary triatomines are quite opportunistic in their host selection and feed well on humans. They are poor flyers, thus the dispersion of triatomine species (or their eggs) is related to the transportation of man, his furniture, goods or migratory animals.