Belminus ferroae n. sp. from the Colombian north-east, with a key to the species of the genus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Abstract

Belminus ferroae, a new triatomine species, is described on the basis of specimens collected in dwellings of the Andean oriental mountain range, municipality Toledo, Departament of North Santander, Colombia. It differs from other species of the genus in the color pattern of the body, corium light colored, cells of the membrane light brown, with secondary venation that gives a reticular aspect to the wing, in design of the connexivum, and phallic structures of the male. Illustrations of male genitalia of Belminus herreri, a related species, are included.

Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in a Colombian Caribbean region suggests that secondary vectors play an important epidemiological role

“…However, recent events of T. cruzi transmission in localities where R. prolixus and T. dimidiata are not present suggest that other species are involved in the T. cruzi transmission cycle [11]. In Colombia, 24 triatomine species other than R. prolixus and T. dimidiata have been reported, 15 of which are naturally infected with T. cruzi [12, 13]. The eco-epidemiological features related to non-domiciliated vector T. cruzi transmission, including infection rates and the specific factors affecting transmission in areas where these triatomine vector species are present remain unknown.…”

Feeding behaviour of Belminus ferroae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a predaceous Triatominae colonizing rural houses in Norte de Santander, Colombia

“…All are believed to be haematophagous and capable of transmitting Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), the causative agent of Chagas' disease or American trypanosomiasis, although relatively few are of epidemiological significance as vectors of T. cruzi to humans (Schofield & Galvão, 2009). In Colombia, where it has been estimated that around 700 000 people are infected with T. cruzi , 26 species of Triatominae have been reported, including species of the little known genus Belminus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) (Sandoval et al , 2004, 2007; Galvão & Angulo, 2006; Guhl et al , 2007).…”

“…The genus Belminus was first described by Stål (1859) based on a single species from Colombia ( Belminus rugulosus ). The genus currently comprises eight species: Belminus corredori (Galvão & Angulo 2006); Belminus costaricensis (Herrer, Lent & Wygodzinsky 1954); Belminus ferroae (Sandoval, Pabón, Jurberg & Galvão 2007); Belminus herreri (Lent & Wygodzinsky 1979); Belminus laportei (Lent, Jurberg & Carcavallo 1995); Belminus peruvianus (Herrer, Lent & Wygodzinsky 1954); Belminus pittieri (Osuna & Ayala 1993), and B. rugulosus (Stål 1859). All of these apparently have focal distribution in parts of Central America, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and northern Brazil (Sandoval et al , 2007; Schofield & Galvão, 2009).…”

Revalidation and redescription of Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma Galvão, 1956 and an identification key for the Triatoma brasiliensis complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

“…Following this work, a few species were added and, currently, 147 species are included in the group (Forero et al 2004, Poinar 2005, Costa et al 2006, Galvão & Angulo 2006, Bérenger & Blanchet 2007, Costa & Felix 2007, Martinez et al 2007, Sandoval et al. 2007, Jurberg et al 2009, Rosa et al 2012, Gonçalves et al 2013).…”