Triatominae fauna (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and the influence of climatic elements on their populations.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this work was to study Triatomine fauna captured during the period from 2006–2014 in Mato Grosso do Sul and to investigate the influence of climatic elements on these populations by providing subsidies to guide vector control work in the state. Methods: We verified the natural infection rate, the abundance of classes, constancy, frequency and dominance, and the influence of climatic factors on the frequency of triatomine. Results: Of the 14,178 specimens collected, 2,118 (14.94%) were domiciliary, and 12,060 (85.06%) were peridomiciles. The rate of natural infection in Triatoma matogrossensis was 18.18%, followed by Rhodnius neglectus (0.46%) and Triatoma sordida (0.27%). Triatoma sordida was the most frequent species: constant, abundant and dominant. We observed the influence of climatic factors on the encounter of insects during the period from January to December and throughout the eight years of the study period. Climatic factors such as relative humidity affect the frequency of insects. Conclusions: Although Mato Grosso do Sul is considered free of endemic vector transmission by Triatoma infestans, the persistent encounter vectors naturally infected by Trypanosoma cruzi remain worthy of attention, and the information in this work may improve actions to combat the vector in the state better selecting the periods and favorable environmental conditions for control using insecticides, ensuring greater efficiency and decreasing the possibilities of the vector triatomine becoming resistant to the chemical agent.