Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) Descripción de la Genitalia Externa del Macho y Morfología Externa de la Hembra

Triatoma mexicana was originally described in 1848 by Herrich-Schaeffer, naming Conorhinus mexicanus Herrich-Schaeffer. Its finding is currently registered in the States of Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí. Studies about the spatial distribution, the entomological indices, it presence indoor an outdoor in houses, it biology and risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas show that it is an important species from the point of view of public health. With the purpose of extending the biological knowledge of this species, the present study is the description of the female as well as the external male genitalia, in specimens captured in the State of Guanajuato.Triatoma mexicana fue descrita originalmente en 1848 por Herrich-Schaeffer nombrándola Conorhinus mexicanus Herrich-Schaeffer. Actualmente se registra su hallazgo en los estados de Guanajuato, Hidalgo Querétaro y San Luis Potosí. Los estudios sobre su distribución espacial, índices entomológicos, presencia en el intradomicilio y peridomicilio, biología y riesgo de transmisión de Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas demuestran que es una especie importante desde el punto de vista de salud pública. Con el propósito de ampliar el conocimiento biológico sobre la especie, en el presente estudio se hace la descripción de la hembra así como la genitalia externa del macho, en ejemplares capturados en el estado de Guanajuato

Triatoma mexicana (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Guanajuato, Mexico: house infestation and seasonal variation

Triatoma mexicana was described by Herrich-Schaeffer in 1848. In 1940, a male specimen was found in Hidalgo. In 1970, this species was recorded in the state of Queretaro. Later, it was registered in Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi. In the present paper we performed an investigation in 545 dwellings from three counties in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, from March 2003 to May 2004. The search and capture of triatomines were seasonally performed indoors and outdoors. Entomological indexes were calculated. The risk and no risk relations between triatomine presence and housing construction materials were analyzed. Fourteen triatomines were collected indoors and 151 outdoors. The vectors were collected in houses built with either risky and non-risky materials. Adults go indoors but do not settle there, hence, no relationship was found between the building materials and infestation of houses. Conventional interventions like house improvement or insecticide spraying are not efficient for the control of T. mexicana, because its developmental cycle is accomplished outdoors in the area surrounding the houses