Defaecation pattern in seven species of triatomines (Insecta, Reduviidae) present in México

In order to compare the vectorial capacity of Mexican species of triatomine bugs (Insecta: Reduviidae) involved in the natural transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, we tested three series of five bugs of every sex and species, the bugs were fed on mice. The defaecation latency time (DLT) of adults of seven species was determined. We studied: Triatoma barberi, T. dimidiata, T. lecticularia, T. pallidipennis, T. picturata, T. phyllosoma and Rhodnius prolixus. As a reference for comparison we tested the highly infective T. infestans (exotic to Mexico and considered the most important vector in South America). The results show that R. prolixus, T. lecticularia and T. infestans have similar DLT, the other five Mexican species are comparatively bad transmitters of T. cruzi.