Socio-environmental factors associated with the occurrence of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in an endemic municipality in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Triatomines are the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The study aimed to evaluate the association between sociodemographic and environmental factors, and changes in land use and cover, with the occurrence and abundance of triatomines by census sectors in an endemic municipality of northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study was conducted in Montes Claros, located in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The entomological data used in the study were collected by active surveillance in the rural area from 2015 to 2019 and by passive surveillance in the urban area from 2009 to 2019. Data on sociodemographic and environmental factors and changes in land use and land cover were obtained from the urban and rural census sectors. A total of 1404 triatomines, belonging to eight species, were captured in domiciles in the rural area (2015-2019) and 277 triatomines in domiciles in the urban area (2009-2019) of the municipality of Montes Claros. The variables the number of domiciles, household economic income, pavement, NDVI, deforestation, unchanged, and anthropic proved to be positively associated with the occurrence and/or number of triatomines in census sectors, within the models. The occurrence of triatomines in the domestic environment of the municipality of Montes Claros should be considered a public health problem, as it suggests a potential risk of establishment and transmission of T. cruzi to domestic animals, farm animals, and humans.

Vigilância à saúde da doença de Chagas em municípios endêmicos de Minas Gerais: percepção e conhecimento de profissionais da vigilância entomológica / Health surveillance of Chagas disease in endemic municipalities of Minas Gerais state, Brazil: perception and knowledge of Entomological Surveillance professionals

Resumo Objetivo Traçar o perfil sociodemográfico dos agentes de combate a endemias (ACEs) dos municípios que compõem a microrregional de saúde de Itaúna, Minas Gerais; e apreender a percepção dos profissionais da vigilância entomológica sobre a doença de Chagas e serviços de saúde. Metodologia Aplicou-se um questionário semiestruturado aos ACEs e foi realizado um grupo focal com os coordenadores de endemias e digitadores. Resultados Dentre os ACEs, a maioria era do sexo feminino, entre 21 e 40 anos, com ensino médio, possuindo contrato de trabalho temporário há menos de 5 anos. Foi possível apreender: as más condições de trabalho dos ACEs, destacando-se a alta rotatividade e defasagem salarial; ausência de ações de promoção à saúde relacionadas à doença de Chagas; desarticulação entre a Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) e Vigilância à Saúde (VS); e críticas às ações de controle da doença pós-processo de descentralização da saúde. Conclusões Há urgência na concretização da legislação inerente à natureza trabalhista e às condições de trabalho dos ACEs, bem como ao planejamento conjunto das ações de APS e VS, garantindo a atenção integral por meio de ações de promoção à saúde voltadas à população, focando especialmente a doença de Chagas, consolidando o SUS.

Abstract Objective To trace the sociodemographic profile of endemic disease combat agents (ACEs) in the municipalities that make up the health microregion of Itaúna, Minas Gerais; and apprehend the perception of entomological surveillance professionals about Chagas disease and health services. Methodology A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to the ACEs and a focus group was held with coordinators of endemic diseases and typists. Results Among the ACEs, the majority were female, between 21 and 40 years old, with high school education, with a temporary work contract for less than 5 years. It was possible to apprehend: the poor working conditions of the ACEs, highlighting the high turnover and wage gap; absence of health promotion actions related to Chagas disease; disarticulation between Primary Health Care (PHC) and Health Surveillance (HS); and criticism of disease control actions after the health decentralization process. Conclusions There is an urgent need to implement the legislation inherent to the labor nature and working conditions of the ACEs, as well as the joint planning of PHC and SV actions, guaranteeing comprehensive care through health promotion actions aimed at the population, focusing especially on Chagas disease, consolidating the SUS.

Moradores de áreas rurais de municípios mineiros endêmicos para a doença de Chagas: ideias e concepções sobre a doença, os vetores e os serviços de saúde / Residents of rural areas in municipalities of Minas Gerais endemic for Chagas disease: their ideas and conceptions about the disease, vector, and health services

Resumo Introdução A vigilância da doença de Chagas (DC), baseada na participação popular, ocorre por meio da detecção e notificação de insetos suspeitos de serem vetores da DC aos Postos de Informação de Triatomíneos (PITs). Objetivo Compreender as ideias e concepções dos moradores em áreas rurais dos municípios da Microrregião de Saúde de Itaúna (MSI) em relação a aspectos relacionados à DC, seus vetores e serviços de saúde. Método Em 2016, foram realizados quatro grupos focais nos municípios da MSI. Esses grupos focais foram gravados, transcritos e analisados utilizando a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Neste processo, identificamos e categorizamos unidades de análise tanto dentro de cada grupo focal quanto entre eles. Resultados Descobrimos que há compreensão por parte de alguns moradores sobre a natureza da transmissão da DC, as características morfológicas e hábitos dos vetores, o encaminhamento do vetor para os PITs e o diagnóstico da DC. Também encontramos relatos da ausência de intervenções educacionais e de saúde relacionadas à DC. Conclusão Compreender as concepções e ideias sobre a DC das populações em áreas endêmicas é fundamental para desenvolver futuras estratégias envolvendo a participação popular.

Abstract Background The surveillance of Chagas disease (CD) based on public participation is carried out through the detection and notification of insects suspected of being vectors of CD to Triatomine Information Posts (TIPs). Objective To understand the ideas and conceptions of residents in rural areas of the municipalities of the Micro-region of Health de Itaúna (MHI) regarding aspects related to CD, its vectors, and health services. Method In 2016, four focus groups were conducted in the municipalities of MHI. These focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the content analysis technique. In this process, units of analysis, both within each focus group and between them, were identified and categorized. Results It was found that some residents have a good understanding of the nature of CD transmission and of the morphological characteristics and habits of the vectors, in addition to an understanding of the forwarding of the vector to TIPs, and the diagnosis of CD. Reports of the absence of education and health interventions related to CD were also found. Conclusion Understanding the conceptions and ideas about CD of populations in endemic areas is fundamental to developing future strategies involving public participation.

Dynamics of Panstrongylus megistus infestation, the primary vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Panstrongylus megistus is considered one of the primary species of epidemiological importance for the transmission of Chagas disease in Brazil due to its wide geographical distribution throughout the national territory, good ability to invade and colonize houses, and high rates of natural infection by the Trypanosoma cruzi. The importance of this species in Minas Gerais has been recognized since the 80s. It is responsible for the high prevalence rates of Chagas disease in the west of the state. Studies conducted in the municipality of Jaboticatubas show that P. megistus is still the most captured vector in the region, even after 40 years of uninterrupted actions of the Chagas Disease Control Program in the municipality. Despite the importance of the species, its population dynamics is little studied. Consequently, crucial genetic information such as genetic diversity and gene flow among environments have not been well characterized yet. In this context, this work presents a population genetic analysis at the microgeographic level using microsatellite markers in samples of P. megistus obtained from Jaboticatubas to better understand the infestation dynamics of the primary vector species of T. cruzi in the region. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.26 to 0.47 and 0.47 to 0.65, respectively. Most loci presented Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium due to the excess of homozygotes. The pairwise Fst ranged from 0.05 to 0.35, with the p value significant for all comparisons, indicating the absence of gene flow between them. The values of Fis found ranged from 0.25 to 0.52, all values of p ≤ 0.05, probably due to structured populations, inbreeding, or null alleles. The results suggest an extended stay of this species in the colonized environments, with rare dispersal to other locations. Such results differ from that observed for Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma dimidiata, species that present constant movement, even after colonization of the artificial environment, and are similar to the behavior of Triatoma infestans. Thus, the study reinforces the importance of continuous entomological surveillance in the areas of occurrence of P. megistus to avoid the installation and formation of new foci of household infestation in the region.

Occurrence and spatial distribution of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the urban area of the municipality of Montes Claros, Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The north of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is classified as an area of high risk of vectorial transmission of Chagas disease (CD) or of reestablishing transmission in the home, but the Chagas disease control programme is disjointed. The study evaluated the occurrence, natural infection and the spatial distribution of species of triatomines associated with climatic variations in the urban area of Montes Claros, a municipality endemic to CD in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Triatomine data were obtained from passive entomological surveillance actions of the Chagas Disease Control Program (Programa de Controle de Doença de Chagas-PCDCh), registered by the Zoonosis Control Center (Centro de Controle de Zoonoses-CCZ) from 2009 to 2019. A total of 277 triatomines belonging to eight species were collected, and of these, 203 insects were examined. It was found that 46.2% of triatomines were captured inside the home and 8.3% around the home. The natural infection rate was 6.9%; 14 specimens showed natural infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (12 females and 2 males), and of these, 13 were found in the home and one in an uninformed location. The number of triatomine records collected was significantly higher in the month of September (p = .01), and there was an inverse correlation between the number of triatomines and the relative humidity of the air (p < .001). It was verified that the highest triatomine densities are located in transition areas between urban infrastructure (32.12%) and pasture (25.72%). The diversity of species of triatomines infected with T. cruzi in residential units in urban areas in the municipality of Montes Claros is worrying, as it suggests a potential risk of transmission of the parasite to domestic animals and humans.

Identification and characterization of microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) (Triatominae: Reduviidae).

BACKGROUND: Panstrongylus megistus is the most important vector of Chagas disease in Brazil. Studies show that the principal factor hindering the control of triatomines is reinfestation of houses previously treated with insecticides. Studies at the microgeographic level are therefore necessary to better understand these events. However, an efficient molecular marker is not yet available for carrying out such analyses in this species. The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize microsatellite loci for future population genetic studies of P. megistus. METHODS: This study work consisted of five stages: (i) sequencing of genomic DNA; (ii) assembly and selection of contigs containing microsatellites; (iii) validation of amplification and evaluation of polymorphic loci; (iv) standardization of the polymorphic loci; and (v) verification of cross-amplification with other triatomine species. RESULTS: Sequencing of males and females generated 7,908,463 contigs with a total length of 2,043,422,613 bp. A total of 2,043,690 regions with microsatellites in 1,441,091 contigs were obtained, with mononucleotide repeats being the most abundant class. From a panel of 96 loci it was possible to visualize polymorphisms in 64.55% of the loci. Of the 20 loci genotyped, the number of alleles varied from two to nine with an average of 4.9. Cross-amplification with other species of triatomines was observed in 13 of the loci. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high number of alleles encountered, polymorphism and the capacity to amplify from geographically distant populations, the microsatellites described here show promise for utilization in population genetic studies of P. megistus.

Occurrence of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) in an area under entomological surveillance in the Southeast Region of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Panstrongylus megistus is the main triatomine involved in the human transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Minas Gerais, Brazil. We analyzed the occurrence of triatomines in the Itaúna micro-regions for healthcare. METHODS: Data were collected as part of routine entomological surveillance activities, including the species identity, capture site, developmental stage, and trypanosome infection. RESULTS: In total, 503 specimens from five species were captured (495 P. megistus). Adults were mainly captured by residents inside their homes, whereas nymphs were mostly captured by public health professionals outside. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologically important triatomine, P. megistus, continues to persist in our study region.

Occurrence of Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister, 1835) in an area under entomological surveillance in the Southeast Region of Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Panstrongylus megistus is the main triatomine involved in the human transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Minas Gerais, Brazil. We analyzed the occurrence of triatomines in the Itaúna micro-regions for healthcare. METHODS: Data were collected as part of routine entomological surveillance activities, including the species identity, capture site, developmental stage, and trypanosome infection. RESULTS: In total, 503 specimens from five species were captured (495 P. megistus). Adults were mainly captured by residents inside their homes, whereas nymphs were mostly captured by public health professionals outside. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologically important triatomine, P. megistus, continues to persist in our study region.

Agentes comunitários de saúde: percepção sobre os serviços de saúde relacionados à doença de Chagas / Community health agents: perception about health services related to Chagas' disease

Resumo Introdução A doença de Chagas ainda é um importante problema de saúde pública na América Latina, apresentando alta prevalência, ampla distribuição geográfica e grande impacto social. Vários serviços relacionados à doença de Chagas são solucionados na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). Na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), destaca-se o agente comunitário de saúde (ACS), profissional responsável pela mediação entre a comunidade e as unidades básicas de saúde (UBS). Objetivo Apreender a percepção dos coordenadores da ESF e dos ACSs sobre o conhecimento a respeito da doença de Chagas e dos serviços de saúde relacionados nos municípios da microrregional de saúde de Itaúna, em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Método Foram aplicados questionários semiestruturados aos ACSs e realizados grupos focais com os coordenadores da ESF. Resultados Foi observado que, entre os profissionais, há ausência de informações básicas relacionadas à doença de Chagas; inexiste um protocolo/fluxograma de serviço; há uma ineficiência dos serviços de referência e contrarreferência; ocorre precariedade nas condições de trabalho; há ausência de capacitação dos profissionais e de ações de promoção à saúde nos municípios. Conclusão Este é o primeiro estudo abordando esta temática: percepção dos ACSs sobre a doença de Chagas e seus serviços. Sugere-se a extensão deste estudo a outras regiões do Brasil.

Abstract Background Chagas disease is still an important public health issue in Latin America, presenting high prevalence, broad geographical distribution and great social impact. Several services related to Chagas disease are solved in Primary Health Care (PHC). In the Family Health Strategy (FHS) it is highlighted the Community Health Agent (CHA), professional responsible for mediating between the community and units basics of health (UBH). Objective To raise the perception of the coordinators of the FHS and the CHAs about the knowledge on Chagas disease and related health services in the municipalities of the micro-regional health of Itaúna, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Method Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to the CHAs and focus groups were carried out with coordinators of the FHSs. Result It was observed that among professionals there is no basic information related to Chagas' disease; the lack of a service protocol/flowchart was noticed; inefficiency of reference and counter/reference services; precariousness in working conditions and training of professionals and absence of health promotion actions in municipalities. Conclusion This is the first study addressing this theme: perception of professionals about Chagas disease and its services. It is suggested that this study be extended to other regions of Brazil.

Description of an amazing nest of Caatinga Cachalote Pseudoseisura cristata infested by Psammolestes tertius in Tauá, state of Ceará, Northeastern Brazil

Psammolestes tertius Lent & Jurberg 1965 is a triatomine species part of the tribe Rhodniini. It is only wild and found in bird nests, mostly of the Furnariidae family. This work describes the amazing infestation of a nest of Pseudoseisura cristata in the municipality of Taua, Ceará. The nest harbored a colony with about 40 specimens of P. tertius in all evolutionary stages, all negative for trypanosomatids. A rodent of the species Wiedomys pyrrhorhinos was seen running away from the nest. The materials used to build the nest included the typical natural wigs, and various anthropogenic materials such as razor blades, shaver, fork, sunglasses, metal fragments, fragments of plastic objects, wire, barbed wire, plastic sandal straps, paper, plastic lid, pieces of plastic bags, gas cylinder label, large feathers and the exuviae of a snake.

Resistance to deltamethrin by domestic and wild Triatoma infestans populations in the municipality of Toro Toro, Potosi, Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Chemical control with pyrethroid insecticides has been effective in reducing endemic areas of distribution of Triatoma infestans in the Southern Cone, as well as Bolivia; this had considerably reduced the infestation of households in a large part of the territory. Nowadays, areas such as the Chaco and the Inter-Andean Valleys are regions where the reach of vector control strategies is becoming limited, and infestations of insecticide-treated households are reported more often. The objective of this study was to determine if the persistence of T. infestans stems from changes in the susceptibility of its toxicological profile in four communities in the municipality of Toro Toro, Potosi, Bolivia. METHODS: Susceptibility to deltamethrin of wild and domestic populations of T. infestans was evaluated in two stages (16 populations before and 13 populations after spraying) among DUs (structures in the intra- and peridomicile) and wild ecotopes, in four communities. Serial dilutions of deltamethrin in acetone (0.2 µl) were applied topically on standardized first-stage nymphs. Dose-response results were analyzed with the software PoloPlus and the relationships between lethal doses (LD) and resistance ratios (RR50) were determined. RESULTS: Different degrees of RR50 were detected among the populations before and after spraying (25.66-54.70 and 21.91-40.67, respectively), as well as in different ecotopes within a DU (DU JC 3, 28.06-36.13, in mixed structures of corrals and chicken coops; and DU JG 3, 46.27-25.70, in kitchen roofs), or in the wild environment of the community JG Sil (29.21-40.67). The mortality of insects undergoing diagnostic dose (DD) was never higher than 34%. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study showed resistance of T. infestans to deltamethrin in four communities, hence the complexity of this phenomenon is not only limited to the level of communities, but also applies to the microgeographical level, as in different ecotopes present within the DUs. This phenomenon should be considered while planning the activities of control programs.

Spatial and temporal distribution of house infestation by Triatoma infestans in the Toro Toro municipality, Potosi, Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Triatoma infestans is the main vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in Bolivia. The species is present both in domestic and peridomestic structures of rural areas, and in wild ecotopes of the Andean valleys and the Great Chaco. The identification of areas persistently showing low and high house infestation by the vector is important for the management of vector control programs. This study aimed at analyzing the temporal and spatial distribution of house infestation by T. infestans in the Toro Toro municipality (Potosi, Bolivia) between 2009 and 2014, and its association with environmental variables. METHODS: House infestation and T. infestans density were calculated from entomological surveys of houses in the study area, using a fixed-time effort sampling technique. The spatial heterogeneity of house infestation was evaluated using the SatScan statistic. Association between house infestation with Bioclim variables (Worldclim database) and altitude was analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) with a logit link. Model selection was based on the Akaike information criteria after eliminating collinearity between variables using the variable inflation factor. The final model was used to create a probability map of house infestation for the Toro Toro municipality. RESULTS: A total of 73 communities and 16,489 house evaluation events were analyzed. Presence of T. infestans was recorded on 480 house evaluation events, giving an overall annual infestation of 2.9% during the studied period (range 1.5-5.4% in 2009 and 2012). Vector density remained at about 1.25 insects/ house. Infestation was highly aggregated in five clusters, including 11 communities. Relative risk of infestation within these clusters was 1.7-3.9 times the value for the regional average. Four environmental variables were identified as good descriptors of house infestation, explaining 57% of house infestation variability. The model allowed the estimation of a house infestation surface for the Toro Toro municipality. CONCLUSION: This study shows that residual and persistent populations of T. infestans maintain low house infestation, representing a potential risk for the transmission of T. cruzi in these communities, and it is possible to stratify house infestation using EV, and produce a risk map to guide the activities of vector control interventions in the municipality of Toro Toro (Potosi, Bolivia).

Inheritance and heritability of deltamethrin resistance under laboratory conditions of Triatoma infestans from Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Over the last few decades, pyrethroid-resistant in Triatoma infestans populations have been reported, mainly on the border between Argentina and Bolivia. Understanding the genetic basis of inheritance mode and heritability of resistance to insecticides under laboratory conditions is crucial for vector management and monitoring of insecticide resistance. Currently, few studies have been performed to characterize the inheritance mode of resistance to pyrethroids in T. infestans; for this reason, the present study aims to characterize the inheritance and heritability of deltamethrin resistance in T. infestans populations from Bolivia with different toxicological profiles. METHODS: Experimental crosses were performed between a susceptible (S) colony and resistant (R) and reduced susceptibility (RS) colonies in both directions (♀ x ♂ and ♂ x ♀), and inheritance mode was determined based on degree of dominance (DO) and effective dominance (D(ML)). In addition, realized heritability (h(2)) was estimated based on a resistant colony, and select pressure was performed for two generations based on the diagnostic dose (10 ng. i. a. /nymph). The F1 progeny of the experimental crosses and the selection were tested by a standard insecticide resistance bioassay. RESULTS: The result for DO and D(ML) (< 1) indicates that resistance is an incompletely dominant character, and inheritance is autosomal, not sex-linked. The LD50 for F1 of ♀S x ♂R and ♂S x ♀R was 0.74 and 3.97, respectively, which is indicative of dilution effect. In the resistant colony, after selection pressure, the value of h(2) was 0.37; thus, the LD50 value increased 2.25-fold (F2) and 26.83-fold (F3) compared with the parental colony. CONCLUSION: The inheritance mode of resistance of T. infestans to deltamethrin, is autosomal and an incompletely dominant character; this is a previously known process, confirmed in the present study on T. infestans populations from Bolivia. The lethal doses (LD50) increase from one generation to another rapidly after selection pressure with deltamethrin. This suggests that resistance is an additive and cumulative factor, mainly in highly structured populations with limited dispersal capacity, such as T. infestans. This phenomenon was demonstrated for the first time for T. infestans in the present study. These results are very important for vector control strategies in problematic areas where high resistance ratios of T. infestans have been reported.

Susceptibility to deltamethrin of wild and domestic populations of Triatoma infestans of the Gran Chaco and the Inter-Andean Valleys of Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: The persistence of Triatoma infestans and the continuous transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Inter-Andean Valleys and in the Gran Chaco of Bolivia are of great significance. Coincidentally, it is in these regions the reach of the vector control strategies is limited, and reports of T. infestans resistance to insecticides, including in wild populations, have been issued. This study aims to characterize the susceptibility to deltamethrin of wild and domestic populations of T. infestans from Bolivia, in order to better understand the extent of this relevant problem. METHODS: Susceptibility to deltamethrin was assessed in nine, wild and domestic, populations of T. infestans from the Gran Chaco and the Inter-Andean Valleys of Bolivia. Serial dilutions of deltamethrin in acetone (0.2 µL) were topically applied in first instar nymphs (F1, five days old, fasting, weight 1.2 ± 0.2 mg). Dose response results were analyzed with PROBIT version 2, determining the lethal doses, slope and resistance ratios (RR). Qualitative tests were also performed. RESULTS: Three wild T. infestans dark morph samples of Chaco from the Santa Cruz Department were susceptible to deltamethrin with RR50 of <2, and 100% mortality to the diagnostic dose (DD); however, two domestic populations from the same region were less susceptible than the susceptibility reference lineage (RR50 of 4.21 and 5.04 respectively and 93% DD). The domestic population of Villa Montes from the Chaco of the Tarija Department presented high levels of resistance (RR50 of 129.12 and 0% DD). Moreover, the domestic populations from the Valleys of the Cochabamba Department presented resistance (RR50 of 8.49 and 62% DD), the wild populations were less susceptible than SRL and T. infestans dark morph populations (RR50 < 5). CONCLUSION: The elimination of T. infestans with pyrethroid insecticides in Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and its drastic reduction in large parts of Paraguay and Argentina, clearly indicates that pyrethroid resistance was very uncommon in non-Andean regions. The pyrethroid susceptibility of non-Andean T. infestans dark morph population, and the resistance towards it, of Andean T. infestans wild and domestic populations, indicates that the Andean populations from Bolivia are less susceptible.

Primeiro encontro de Rhodnius domesticus Neiva e Pinto, 1923 (Hemiptera: Reduvidae) no município de Açucena, Minas Gerais, Brasil / First meeting of Rhodnius domesticus Neiva e Pinto, 1923 (Hemiptera: Reduvidae) in the municipality of Açucena, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Os triatomíneos são insetos vetores do Trypanosoma cruzi, protozoário causador da doença de Chagas. Em agosto de 2013, profissionais da Superintendência Regional de Saúde de Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, registraram a entrada de uma fêmea de triatomíneo que foi identificada como Rhodnius prolixus. O inseto era proveniente do intradomicílio de uma residência do povoado de Caeté, município de Açucena. Para confirmação da identificação, o exemplar foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Referência em Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas do Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou (CPqRR/FIOCRUZ). Na identificação do exemplar, utilizaram-se chaves taxonômicas e a morfologia externa da genitália feminina, o que permitiu identificá-lo como Rhodnius domesticus. Os caracteres diferenciais em relação às outras espécies de Rhodnius foram: o tamanho de 15,5 mm, a cor parda-amarelada com partes em castanho escuro, a ausência de aspecto sarapintado, a cabeça curta e as patas não aneladas. Além disso, a genitália da fêmea, em vista dorsal, apresentava uma linha em forma de lua dividindo o nono e décimo segmentos e, em perspectiva ventral, o nono segmento terminava ligeiramente abaixo do décimo. O exemplar foi depositado na coleção de vetores da doença de Chagas (Fiocruz-COLVEC) do CPqRR/FIOCRUZ. Esta foi a primeira vez em que esta espécie foi identificada na região. É importante que o serviço de vigilância entomológica esteja atento à presença de triatomíneos raros e os identifique corretamente. As coleções entomológicas e os serviços de referência têm importante papel no sentido de assegurar um serviço de qualidade nas identificações.

Triatomines are insect vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas Disease. In August 2013, a professional from the Regional Health Superintendence of Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, registered the arrival of a triatomine female identified as Rhodnius prolixus. The insect originated from a domestic residence in Caeté, Açucena municipality. In order to confirm its identity, the insect was sent to the René Rachou Research Center (CPqRR/FIOCRUZ). For identification of the triatomine, taxonomic keys and external morphology of the female genitalia were used, allowing the insect to be identified as Rhodnius domesticus. The differentiating features in relation to other species were: the size of 15.5 mm, the brownish-yellow colour with chestnut brown in parts, absence of the spotted or speckled aspect, short head and non-curled feet. As well as this, the female genitalia, in dorsal view, presented a moon shaped line dividing the ninth and tenth segment, and in ventral view presented the ninth segment finishing slightly below the tenth. The sample was stored in the collection of Chagas disease vectors (Fiocruz- COLVEC) do CPqRR/FIOCRUZ. It was the first time that this species was identified in the region. It is important that the entomology surveillance service is aware of the presence of rare triatomines and processes their identification correctly. In this way, entomologic collections and reference services have an important role, ensuring a quality service in identification.