Occurrence and variability of Panstrongylus lutzi in the State of Ceará, Brazil.
Panstrongylus lutzi is generally restricted to the "caatinga" areas of north-eastern Brazil. Adult insects are frequently found in local houses, but colonies have not previously been registered in the statistics of the Control Programme of Chagas Disease. In Ceará State, our study revealed increasing occurrence of this species, usually with high infection rates for Trypanosoma cruzi, and always represented by adults that invaded the artificial environment. We also found nymphs in the peridomicile and inside the houses. In silvatic habitats we collected two adult females from hollow tree trunks, which may represent an alternative natural ecotope for the species in this state. Panstrongylus lutzi entomological collections from Sobral and Crateús, studied by morphology and morphometrics, showed great variability; those from Crateús were larger smaller and paler in colour, with individuals showing genital features consistent with those described for Panstrongylus lutzi or Panstrongylus sherlocki, whereas those from Sobral were darker and with genitalia compatible with P. sherlocki, nevertheless, all were considered to be Panstrongylus lutzi.
Garcia
Maria Hismênia H M
MH
Fundação Nacional de Saúde, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Souza
Lindemberg
L
Souza
Rita de Cássia M de
Rde C
Paula
Alexandre S
AS
Borges
Erika C
EC
Barbosa
Silvia E
SE
Schoffield
Christopher John
CJ
Diotaiuti
Liléia
L
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010203:Panstrongylus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi