Parabelminus genus

Parabelminus (Lent 1943) - Two species:

1. Parabelminus carioca (Brazil)
2. Parabelminus yurupucu (Brazil)

Distribution:

Characteristics:

- Small triatomines (9-10mm)

- Basic color black

- Distinct, short adpressed setae on most body parts

- Ocelli very small, obsolent, not elevated, situated at inner tangents of eyes

- Rostrum with first segment much shorter than second

- Genae compressed laterally, their apex widely rounded, considerably surpassing clypeus, and completely covering bucculae

- Scutellum trapezoidal, hind margin straight across, without posterior process, first urotergite exposed

- Spongy fossulae present on all three pairs of legs, small, even in nymphs

Biology:

- Arboreal, in wet forest, among fronds of palm trees and in epiphytic bromeliads, probably associated with opossums and rodents

- Are able to climb smooth surfaces, doubtlessly aided by the three pairs of spongy fossulae

Parabelminus carioca (Lent 1943)

Characteristics:

- Head stout

- Width of eye less than half of interocular distance

- Anterolateral angles of pronotum pointed

- Pronotum with sides forming an almost continuous line

Biology:

- Only known from a hillside within the city limits of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

- Found on a palm tree (Attalae indaya) among its frond where opossums (Didelphis marsupialis aurita) were obtaining shelter

- Found naturally infected by T. cruzi

- A possible predator: the reduviine Aradomorpha championi

Parabelminus yurupucu (Lent & Wygodzinsky 1979)

Characteristics:

- Head slender

- Width of eye slightly over half of interocular distance

- Anterolateral angles of pronotum rounded

- Pronotum with sides forming conspicuous angle