Occurrence of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) in an area under entomological surveillance in the Southeast Region of Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, the transmission of T. cruzi by Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834), a non-native vector, has been effectively interrupted, but native triatomine species remain a target for Chagas disease control programs³. In Minas Gerais, the native triatomine Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) was the main domiciliary species before the introduction and spread of T. infestans during the early 20^th century⁴. Panstrongylus megistus is currently one of the most frequently captured triatomines in Minas Gerais, and its infestation of houses has persisted, although at low densities. However, the rates of natural T. cruzi infection are usually high, and the trypanosome is frequently found in nymph-form inside houses, where they often feed on the blood of humans⁵.