Ecological aspects of South American tripanosomiasis: XIV - Persistence and domiciliation potential of sylvatic triatominae populations in an intensive agricultural and cattle breeding region

Abstract

The results of observation of sylvatic triatominae population in a region of intensive agricultural and cattle breeding activity are reported. Important environmental changes had occurred in the area, including destruction of the primitive vegetation and intensive use of pesticides. Nevertheless, these modifications apparently did not affect the survival of Triatominae, since they were found in the remaining vegetation. Moreover, this destruction seems to have favored, to some extent, survival of Triatoma sordida by increasing the available ecotopes. This species, as well as Panstrongylus megistus and Rhodnius neglectus, showed enough ecological valence to colonize experimental fowes houses, used as artificial ecotopes.