[Presence of Triatoma spinolai in human dwellings]

Triatoma spinolai is a wild species of triatomine existing exclusively in Chile, with scarce epidemiological importance in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi to man. It has been found in environments from 3000 meters down to the sea level. Exceptionally it has been found in human dwellings. In order to clarify the possibility of an adaptation of T. spinolai to human dwellings a study was undertaken in 50 rural-periurban dwellings from regions III, IV, V and Metropolitan in which this triatomine was found. The dwellings were classified in houses (35) and huts (15). The insect was trapped in 35 dwellings (24 houses and 11 huts) located in declivities (70%) and 15 dwellings (14 and 1) located in plains. This proportion is significantly higher than the average of 26.2% for dwellings located in declivities. It is concluded that the presence of T. spinolai in dwellings, more than a triatomine invasion is the result of the construction of huts or houses in the insect habitat.