Rhodnius montenegrensis Rosa et al., 2012 (Hemiptera, Triatominae) in Peru: a warning for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in periurban areas

Abstract

Rhodnius montenegrensis is a sylvatic triatomine and a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, with records of its invasion into human dwellings. This study reports the first record of R. montenegrensis in Peru. Triatomines were collected from Attalea phalerata palm trees in peri-urban areas of the city of Iñapari, Peru. Seven specimens of R. montenegrensis were collected, and they were found to be infected with T. cruzi and/or T. rangeli. Additionally, some specimens showed human DNA in their gut contents. With this report, the number of triatomine species in Peru increased from 18 to 19, and the number of countries with the presence of R. montenegrensis rose from two to three (Brazil, Bolivia and Peru). The notification of R. montenegrensis, as well as the information related to the infection rate by T. cruzi and the presence of human blood as a food source for this insect vector, highlight the need for attention from the country's vector control programs to this new species recorded in Peru.