Home » Volumes » Volume 19 January/March 1986 » A key for identifying faecal smears to detect domestic infestations of triatomine bugs

A key for identifying faecal smears to detect domestic infestations of triatomine bugs

C.J. SchofieldI; N.G. WilliamsI; M.L. KirkI; M.T. Garcia ZapataII; P.D. MarsdenI

IDepartment of Medical Entomology London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1 E7HT, England IINúcleo dc Medicina Tropical c Nutrição, e Universidade de Brasília. 70910 Brasilia. DF. Brasil.

DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86821986000100002


ABSTRACT

Early detection of residual populations of domestic triatomine bugs that survive insecticide treatment is a key component of successful evaluation and vigilance for Chagas disease control. We have recently demonstrated that sheets of paper, tacked on to the walls of infested houses, can become streaked with the faeces of triatomine bugs and thus reveal thepresence of an infestation. In thispaper, wepresent a simple key to differentiate the faecal streaks of triatomine bugs from those of other domestic arthropods such as cockroaches, ticks and cimicid bedbugs.

Keywords: Chagas’ disease. Vector control. Triatominae.


RESUMO

Determinar as populações de barbeiros residuais nas casas depois de borrifação com inseticidas é um componente importante na vigilância e evolução do controle dos vetores da doença de Chagas. Recentemente, mostramos que folhas de papel, afixadas na parede das casas infestadas, podem ser manchadas com fezes dos triatomineos, assim revelando a infestação. Neste trabalho, apresentamos uma chave simples para diferenciar as fezes dos triatomineos de outros artropodos, como baratas, carrapatos e percevejos de cama.

Palavras-chave: Doença de Chagas. Controle de vetores. Triatomineos.


 

 

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REFERENCES

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Recebido para publicação em 6/6/1985.