Biological parameters of Triatoma longipennis recently introduced into Central Mexico

There are many invasive alien insect species, several of these species can affect human health by causing disease. These include vectors of vector-borne diseases, such as the triatomines that transmit Chagas disease. Triatoma longipennis Usinger (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is one of the most epidemiologically important vector species of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) in Mexico. This study reports the third collection of T. longipennis from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, where the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in humans has historically exceeded 3.38%. This study evaluates several biological parameters of T. longipennis related to the egg-to-adult development time, number of blood meals to molt, and mortality for each instar, of two populations of the invasive species T. longipennis, recently detected in Hidalgo, as well as fecundity and fertility of females at the end of the cycle. Similar results were observed in the two populations for parameters studied, such as median egg-to-adult development time (162, 174 days), number of blood meals at each nymphal instar (7, 8 meals), total mortality (56%, 61%), fecundity (2.8 eggs/female/day) and fertility (83.3, 84.2%). These observed parameters suggest that both populations of the invasive T. longipennis detected in Hidalgo could be important transmitters of T. cruzi and could replace key triatomine species within their new distribution area.