Triatoma dimidiata

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iTriatoma dimidiata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Reduviidae
Subfamily: Triatominae
Genus: Triatoma
Species: T. dimidiata
Binomial name
Triatoma dimidiata
Latreille, 1811

Triatoma dimidiata is a blood-sucking insect and it is among the most important vectors of Chagas disease. It is found from northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru), throughout all the countries of Central America and into Southern Mexico. This species is present in diverse ecotopes, such as rockpiles, caves occupied by bats and hollow trees occupied by mammals or birds. They are often brought to houses with firewood carried by man to the domicile. Nymphs can camouflage from predators by scrapping dust over the dorsal abdomen. This behavior has also been observed in T. phyllosoma, T. nigromaculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus, P. megistus and P. herreri nymphs.

[edit] References

  • Zeledón R (1981) El Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) y su relación con la enfermedad de Chagas. Editorial Universidad Estatal a Distancia. Costa Rica