Using Captive Sentinels to Collect Wild Triatomines in the Region of Marília-Sp, Brazil

Abstract

In order to collect wild triatomines in the municipality of Marilia, two captive sentinel sites were installed in a remnant riparian zone in the Atlantic Forest comprising 34 hectares located on the Nossa Senhora Aparecida farm. One enclosure was built on the margin and another inside the forest, about 200 meters from the edge, using rabbits as bait to attract wild triatomines. In addition to the caged rabbits, active searches for triatomines were performed in tree holes, bird nests and armadillo burrows by spraying Pirisa 1080-L1E1 aerosol dislodger. The sentinels were maintained for one year and four months. During this period six active searches were performed, but without success in attracting or colonizing wild triatomines. One factor that has probably intervened in the triatomine colonization is the periodic application of insecticides formulated with pyrethroid in farms neighboring the forest to fight Diaphorina citri in orange plantations.

Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from a triatomine found in one of the biggest metropolitan areas of Latin America

“…The presence of residual foci of T. infestans in some Brazilian states and the large number of native species of potential vectors of Chagas disease (Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma brasiliensis, Triatoma pseudomaculata and T. sordida) found in homes are risk factors for the transmission of the disease (4) (27) .…”

“…Martins et al (27) performed searches in two experimental captive sites installed in Marília, São Paulo, for a year and four months, but without successful colonization of wild triatomines. However, the capture of species infected by T. cruzi in the urban environment is a reason for concern, and it is recommended that cities perform continuous entomological surveillance to detect behavioral changes in the species (4) (5) .…”