Present distribution and epidemiological importance of triatomine (Reduviidae: Triatominae) species in Colombia

Abstract

We present the geographical distribution and epidemiological importance for Chagas' disease transmission of 23 triatomine species in Colombia. based on bibliographical reports available in the country and on reference collections housed in the Entomology Laboratory at the lnstituto Nacional de Salud and the Tropical Microbiology and Parasitology Research Center at Universidad de los Andes. We also discuss the ecological conditions under wich triatomines in countries bordering Colombia have been reported. airned at establishing the possible presence of species that have not been reported yet in our country. We, therefore, reportpossible presence in Colombia of species with wild habitats such as Alberprosenia malheiroi, Belminus lapofiei, and Cavernicola lenti, all of them located in the Amaron region; Triatoma nigromaculata. which shows intradomiciliary habits, in the Eastern mountain range; Panstrongylus chinai, probably located in wild habitats and also in settlers' dwellings in the Amazon region dueto its attraction to light, and Alberprosenia goyovargasi, located in wild habitats in our border with Venezuela. The importance of national surveillance programs is highlighted as an aid strategy for the study of triatomine species in Colombia.