Abstract

FORATTINI, Oswaldo Paulo; FERREIRA, Octávio Alves; SILVA, Eduardo Olavo Rocha e  and  RABELLO, Ernesto Xavier. Ecological aspects of South American Trypanosomiasis: IX - Variation and mobility of Panstrongylus megistus in artificial ecotopes. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 1977, vol.11, n.2, pp. 199-213. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101977000200005.

Spontaneous colonies of Panstrongylus megistus developed in experimental fowlhouses showed annual variation with more intensive adult production in the second half-year. This pattern may be attributed to the start of the rainy season. By individual tagging a general aspect obtained was that fifth nymphs were more permanent and some adult females showed a permanence of several months. Besides this, the triatomid showed a dispersal capacity, reaching other fowlhouses and reappering after absence of two to eight months. These findings show a considerable ecological valence of this population and a trend towards invasion of artificial ecotopes that reveal microclimatical conditions similar to the normal ones.

Keywords : Trypanosomiasis, South American; Panstrongylus megistus; Triatomids bugs [domiciliation]; Triatomids bugs [variation and mobility]; Ecology.