Se registra por primera vez la especie Triatoma dispar a una altitud de 1.200 msnm en la localidad de Milpe km 90, Cantón San Miguel de los Bancos, Provincia de Pichincha y se actualiza su distribución geográfica en el Ecuador. Los triatominos se colectaron durante un estudio de flebótomos (vectores de Leishmania), en peridomicilio y remanentes de bosque. Milpe km 90 no presentó evidencia clínica, ni transmisión de la enfermedad de Chagas o circulación enzoótica de Trypanosoma cruzi; sin embargo, se encuentra en una zona de riesgo epidemiológico alto. El presente trabajo contribuye al inventario de la fauna de triatominos del Ecuador y a la actualización de la distribución geográfica de T. dispar, una especie silvestre con potencial rol vectorial, que ya ha colonizado ambientes domésticos y peridomésticos en Esmeraldas y Loja.

INTRODUCTION. Phytotelmata are a botanical group with water-impounding structures formed by non-aquatic plants, such as leaf axils, perforated internodes, stem holes or depressions, rot-holes in tree trunks or branches (tree-holes), flowers, open fruits, among others. These plants offer suitable conditions for aquatic or semi-aquatic animals, in particular arthropods. Immature mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are well represented among the inhabitants of phytotelmata. OBJECTIVE. Carry out a rapid assessment of the biodiversity of mosquitoes present in different land uses in the population and biological reserve of Limoncocha, to assess the vulnerability and risk of transmission of pathogens that cause emerging diseases. METHODS. Immature mosquitoes were collected in different phytotelmata including Ananas comosus leaf axils in a deforested area with small crops nearby of the Limoncocha Biological Reserve. RESULTS. Fourth instar larvae of Wyeomyia (Wyeomyia) medioalbipes Lutz were found in this plant to confirm their presence in the country and to the cultivated pineapples as phytotelmata in Ecuador. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. This is the first report for Ecuador of Ananas comosus as phytotelmata and the associated mosquito species. Additionally, the presence of Wy. medioalpes in the country is confirmed. This information is added in the epidemiological evaluation of vulnerability and risk for the transmission of pathogens with a biogeographical and ecological vision.

In Ecuador, the main tick species affecting cattle are Rhipicephalus microplus and Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato. Understanding their spatial distribution is crucial. To assess their distribution, data from 2895 farms visited between 2012 and 2017 were utilized. Ticks were collected during animal inspections, with each farm's location georeferenced. Bioclimatic variables and vapor pressure deficit data from CHELSA were overlaid to develop predictive maps for each species using Random Forest (RF) models. The cross-validation results for RF prediction models showed high accuracy for both R. microplus and A. cajennense s.l. presence with values of Accuracy = 0.97 and 0.98, Sensitivity = 0.96 and 0.99, and Specificity = 0.96 and 0.93, respectively. A carefully selected subset of bioclimatic variables was used to describe the presence of each tick species. Higher levels of precipitation had positive effect on the presence of R. microplus but a negative effect on A. cajennense s.l. In contrast, isothermality (BIO3) resulted as more important for the presence of A. cajennense s.l. compared to R. microplus. As a result, R. microplus had a broader distribution across the country, while A. cajennense s.l. was mainly found in coastal areas with evident seasonality. The coexistence of both species in certain regions could be attributed to transitional zones, whereas high altitudes limited tick presence. This information can aid in developing appropriate tick management plans, particularly considering A. cajennense s.l.'s broad host range species and R. microplus's specificity for cattle. Moreover, the predictive models can identify areas at risk of associated challenging hemoparasite, requiring special attention and mitigation measures.

We report the first records of two mosquito species, Wyeomyia (Wyeomyia) abebela Dyar & Knab, 1908 and W. (Hystatomyia) coenonus Dyar & Knab, 1913, from the Choco Biosphere Reserve, a global biodiversity hotspot in Ecuador. We collected these mosquitoes in the Mashpi Lodge Reserve, a conserved natural area. Specimens were collected during their immature stages in bromeliads using a 375-ml absorber dropper. Our new data for W. abelela increases the geographical distribution of this species to include seven countries of America (Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Ecuador); W. coenonus is now known from two countries of America (Panama and Ecuador), and our records of W. abelela and W. coenonus are the first from South America.