Paratriatoma genus

Paratriatoma (Barber 1938) - One species:

1. Paratriatoma hirsuta (Mexico, USA)

Paratriatoma hirsuta (Barber 1938)

Distribution:

Characteristics:

- Small triatomines (12.5-14.5mm)

- Body not flattened. Body, head and appendages covered with numerous elongate, curved black setae

- Ocelli situated on elevations poorly developed

- Head subconical and elongated, strongly convex above

- Anteocular region twice as long as postocular region

- Anteniferous tubercles inserted behind middle of anteocular region

- Rostrum as long as head. First segment much shorter than second but longer than third

- Third segment of rostrum without rostral organ

- Eyes small, in lateral view not attaining levels of under and upper surface of head

- Pronotum with anterior lobe slightly convex, without discal or lateral tubercles

- Fore femora without denticles; spongy fossulae absent

- Abdomen convex below, distinctly flattened longitudinally along middle

- Chromatically variable species, from light yellow brown to dark brownish black

Biology:

- This specie is silvatic, almost founded in nests of packrats associated with wood rats (Neotoma spp.). In arids areas.

Neotoma cinerea, the bushy-tailed woodrat, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico (Wikipedia)

A typical environment

Pack rats, or wood rats, are prevalent in the deserts and highlands of western United States and northern Mexico. They are a little smaller than a typical rat and have long, sometimes bushy tails.

- Predators: Mantidae: Iris oratoria (L.), y Reduviidae gen. sp. (Carcavallo et al. 1998).

- Never been found infected with T. cruzi, but is easily infected experimentally (Lent & Zygodzinsky, 1979).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barber HG. 1938. A new genus and species of the subfamily Triatominae (Reduviidae: hemiptera). Proc. Entomol. Soc. Washingteon. 40(4): 161-163.

Carcavallo RU, Galindez Giron I, Jurberg J & Lent H. 1998. Atlas of Chagas’ disease vectors in the Americas. Vol I, II, III. FioCruz Edition.

Lent H & Wygodzinsky P. 1979. Revision of the Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) and their significance as vectors of Chagas' disease. Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. 163 (art. 3): 125-520.

Lent H & Jurberg J. 1971. O gênero Paratriatoma Barber, 1938, com un estudo sôbre a genitalia externa (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatomina). Rev. Brasileira Biol. 31(1): 39-48.

Lima A. da Costa. 1949. insetos do Brasil. Vol 2, Hemipteros. Esc. Nac. Agron. 351pp, Imprensa Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.

Ryckman RE. 1986. The vertebrate hosts of the Triatominae of North and Central America and the West Indies (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: triatominae). Bull. Soc. Vector Ecol. 11(2): 221-241.

Wood SF. 1975. Notes on possible natural control agents for conenose bugs Triatoma and Paratriatoma (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Nat. pest Control Op. news 35(6): 16. In:

Carcavallo RU, Galindez Giron I, Jurberg J & Lent H. 1998. Atlas of Chagas’ disease vectors in the Americas. Vol I, II, III. FioCruz Edition.

Wood SF. 1978. Notes on Mantids (Stamomantis, Iris) as possible predators of conenose Bugs (Triatoma, Paratriatoma). Pan-pacific entomol. 54:17. In: Carcavallo et al. 1998. Atlas of Chagas’ disease vectors in theAmericas. Vol III. FioCruz Edition.