An overview on the ecology of Triatominae (Hemiptera:Reduviidae)

Acta Trop. 2015 Nov:151:116-25. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.06.006. Epub 2015 Jun 15.

Abstract

Chagas disease, the American trypanosomiasis, is an important neglected tropical illness caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) and transmitted by insects of the subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Here we provide an overview on the current knowledge about Triatominae ecology, its association with human, T. cruzi infection and the immediate consequences of habitat fragmentation. We also discuss the geographic distribution of the species and the importance of predicting their distributions to control programs.

Keywords: Ecology; Triatominae.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Chagas Disease / parasitology*
  • Chagas Disease / transmission*
  • Ecology*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors*
  • North America
  • South America
  • Triatominae*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi*