Similarity of the patterns of sensilla on the antennae of Triatoma melanosoma and Triatoma infestans

Wing geometry in Triatoma infestans (Klug) and T. melanosoma Martinez, Olmedo & Carcavallo (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

“…4). Similar results were obtained based on the sensilla pattern analyses of the antennae (Catalá & Torres, 2001) or randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fragments (Noireau et al ., 2000): neither the ‘dark morph’ nor the T. ‘melanosoma’ specimens showed differences with T. infestans higher than currently observed between geographical populations. This was also confirmed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and by mitochondrial DNA sequencing (Monteiro et al ., 1999).…”

“…According to the present study, the ‘dark morphs’ and T. melanosoma are both compatible with characterization as chromatic variants of T. infestans . The absence of consistent differences between the two taxa is in agreement with previous molecular studies using isoenzymes and mitochondrial DNA sequence variation (Monteiro et al ., 1999), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fragments (Noireau et al ., 2000) and morphological comparisons based on the analysis of antennal sensilla patterns (Catalá & Torres, 2001). Accordingly, we hereby formally recognize T. melanosoma Martinez, Olmeido & Carcavallo (syn.n.)…”

“…An entirely melanic form from Misiones in northwestern Argentina was originally described as a subspecies, T. infestans melanosoma Martinez, Olmedo & Carcavallo, 1987, and subsequently proposed as a species, T. melanosoma , mainly on the argument that the black forms are ‘true breeding’ (Lent et al ., 1994). Recently, the examination of sensilla pattern, a good indicator of geographical structuring in Triatominae (Catalá & Dujardin, 2001), could not distinguish T. melanosoma from T. infestans (Catalá & Torres, 2001). A second dark form, recently discovered in the Bolivian Chaco, was described simply as a ‘dark morph’ of T. infestans (Noireau et al ., 1997, 2000).…”

Changes associated with laboratory rearing in antennal sensilla patterns of Triatoma infestans, Rhodnius prolixus, and Rhodnius pallescens (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

“…According to the number, type, and distribution of antennal sensilla, it has been possible to distinguish genera, species, and sex, and the sensilla arrays are now being used to compare adaptations of different populations in terms of their habitat and geographical distribution (Catalá 1996, Gracco & Catalá 2000, Noireau et al 2000, Catalá & Dujardin 2001, Catalá & Torres 2001, Carbajal de la Fuente & Catalá 2002.…”

First record of domestic colonies of the dark chromatic variant of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

“…Although Martinez et al (1987) highlighted the black color of the coxae, the connexivum and the proximal part of the femora of Misiones morph, authors who described the insects of the Gran Chaco did not refer to color of the base of the femora. In any case, the dark morph of the Gran Chaco was interpreted as an intermediate chromatic variant between a typical T. infestans and a darkest morph of Misiones (Noireau et al, 1997;Catalá & Torres, 2001). The insect here described showed a general black coloration with small yellow/orange spots in the connexivum and the proximal part of femora and trochanters also yellow/orange.…”