Abstract

ZELEDON, Rodrigo et al. The finding of Rhodnius pallescens Barber, 1932 (Reduviidae: Triatominae) in palm trees (Attalea butyracea) in north Costa Rica. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2006, vol.46, n.1, pp.15-20. ISSN 1690-4648.

A total of 167 nymphs and adults of Rhodnius pallescens was collected from the basal parts of dead fronds of two palm trees (Attalea butyracea) in the town of Los Chiles, province of Alajuela, Costa Rica, close to the Nicaraguan border. Previous records of this species in the same habitat come from Panama and Colombia. A group of 32 insects examined for Trypanosoma cruzi revealed that all were infected. By examining their hemolymph, none of 24 of the insects was found infected with T. rangeli. Balb/c mice inoculated with the T. cruzi strain from infected insects showed a typical acute myocarditis reaction with numerous groups of parasites among the heart fibers at autopsy. The geographical distribution of R. pallescens as well as its possible presence in other Central American countries and in Mexico where it is still unknown, coinciding with the distribution of the same species of palm tree, is discussed. Likewise, the potential of R. pallescens in becoming adapted to domestic environments is analyzed in light of recent information, and the epidemiological implications of the phenomenon are also discussed.

Keywords : Rhodnius pallescens; palm trees; Attalea butyracea; Trypanosoma cruzi; Costa Rica.