Triatomines

Triatomines, also known as kissing bugs, are insects in the subfamily Triatominae of the family Reduviidae. They are hematophagous insects that feed on vertebrate blood, mainly at night. The group comprises about 150 species distributed primarily in the Americas, with a subset adapted to domestic or peridomestic habitats.

Biology and life cycle: Triatomines undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with eggs, five nymphal instars, and adults. Development depends on temperature and available blood meals. Adults and nymphs are typically elongate, with a narrow head and a curved rostrum used to pierce skin. Wings are present in many adults but may be reduced in some species. Feeding occurs on a range of hosts, including humans, dogs, and wildlife, and several species show strong domestic or peridomestic associations.

Role as disease vectors: Triatomines are the primary vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Transmission mainly occurs when an infected bug defecates near the bite site and the parasite enters through mucous membranes or breaks in the skin. Vectorial capacity varies among species and populations and is influenced by feeding behavior, defecation patterns, and proximity to human populations. Reservoir hosts include opossums, raccoons, armadillos, and various mammals.

Distribution and habitat: They are native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States to Argentina, with higher diversity in tropical regions. Many species inhabit cracks in walls, thatched roofs, animal enclosures, and other peridomestic sites, facilitating human contact in certain settings.

Taxonomy and surveillance: The best-known vector genera include Triatoma, Rhodnius, and Panstrongylus. Identification relies on morphology and increasingly on molecular methods. Public health programs emphasize surveillance, housing improvements, insecticide spraying, bed nets, and environmental management to reduce vector habitats.