Publication date: Available online 19 November 2025 Source: Acta Tropica Author(s): Jorge Jesús Rodríguez-Rojas, Edith Araceli Fernández-Figueroa, Pilar de Jesús Salas-Rodríguez, Josué Severo Ortiz-Barrera, Herón Huerta, Mario Octavio González-Reyes, Rosa María Sánchez-Casas, Ildefonso Fernández-Salas, Gabriel Gutiérrez-Granados, Ángel Rodríguez-Moreno

Publication date: Available online 19 November 2025 Source: Acta Tropica Author(s): Jorge Jesús Rodríguez-Rojas, Edith Araceli Fernández-Figueroa, Pilar de Jesús Salas-Rodríguez, Josué Severo Ortiz-Barrera, Herón Huerta, Mario Octavio González-Reyes, Rosa María Sánchez-Casas, Ildefonso Fernández-Salas, Gabriel Gutiérrez-Granados, Ángel Rodríguez-Moreno

AbstractChagas disease is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Mexico. Triatoma longipennis (Usinger. 1939) is one of the most epidemiologically important vector species of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909), the etiological agent of Chagas disease. This study reports the third collection of T. longipennis from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. This paper evaluates and compares feeding and defecation behaviors for each instar of two populations of T. longipennis recently detected in Hidalgo, Mexico. No significant differences were noted between the two populations in the mean time to initiate feeding (immediate “attack”), feeding times (> 10 min), and defecation delay (when feeding or immediately after feeding: 77% to 99% vs 84.5% to 100%). These observed behaviors in the two populations of T. longipennis from Hidalgo align with the characteristics of an effective transmitter of T. cruzi. Given these results, the recently detected populations of T. longipennis could be considered significant potential vectors of T. cruzi to human populations and may replace key triatomine species within their new distribution area.

AbstractChagas disease is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Mexico. Triatoma longipennis (Usinger. 1939) is one of the most epidemiologically important vector species of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909), the etiological agent of Chagas disease. This study reports the third collection of T. longipennis from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. This paper evaluates and compares feeding and defecation behaviors for each instar of two populations of T. longipennis recently detected in Hidalgo, Mexico. No significant differences were noted between the two populations in the mean time to initiate feeding (immediate “attack”), feeding times (> 10 min), and defecation delay (when feeding or immediately after feeding: 77% to 99% vs 84.5% to 100%). These observed behaviors in the two populations of T. longipennis from Hidalgo align with the characteristics of an effective transmitter of T. cruzi. Given these results, the recently detected populations of T. longipennis could be considered significant potential vectors of T. cruzi to human populations and may replace key triatomine species within their new distribution area.

Residual spraying with pyrethroid insecticides is still the main strategy used to prevent vector-borne transmission of #Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The emergence of resistance to th...

Residual spraying with pyrethroid insecticides is still the main strategy used to prevent vector-borne transmission of #Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The emergence of resistance to th...

Residual spraying with pyrethroid insecticides is still the main strategy used to prevent vector-borne transmission of #Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The emergence of resistance to th...

Kissing bugs (Triatominae) are hematophagous insects and the principal vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. While their bacterial microbiomes have received considerable attention, the diversity of viruses associated with these insects remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we investigated the metavirome of five Triatominae species from the southern United States (Triatoma rubida, T. sanguisuga, T. gerstaeckeri, T. indictiva, and Hospesneotomae protracta), sampled in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. We sequenced gut and reproductive tissues from 23 field-collected specimens and assembled 41 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), 40 of which are novel and together constitute 13 viral families, including Chuviridae, Arenaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Partitiviridae, Solemoviridae, Circoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Microviridae, Xinmoviridae, Astroviridae, Narnaviridae, Tombusviridae, and the order Elliovirales. The vOTUs composition and abundance analysis examined variables including host species, sex, tissue type, blood meal, and T. cruzi infection status, showing that metavirome diversity varied significantly among host species. Our findings demonstrate a species-specific metavirome and the presence of virus taxa linked to insects, plants, and vertebrates, highlighting the complex ecological interactions between viruses and triatomines. This study uncovers a diverse and largely novel set of metaviromes within North American Triatominae, providing a foundation for future research on virus-vector interactions.

Kissing bugs (Triatominae) are hematophagous insects and the principal vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. While their bacterial microbiomes have received considerable attention, the diversity of viruses associated with these insects remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we investigated the metavirome of five Triatominae species from the southern United States (Triatoma rubida, T. sanguisuga, T. gerstaeckeri, T. indictiva, and Hospesneotomae protracta), sampled in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. We sequenced gut and reproductive tissues from 23 field-collected specimens and assembled 41 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), 40 of which are novel and together constitute 13 viral families, including Chuviridae, Arenaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Partitiviridae, Solemoviridae, Circoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Microviridae, Xinmoviridae, Astroviridae, Narnaviridae, Tombusviridae, and the order Elliovirales. The vOTUs composition and abundance analysis examined variables including host species, sex, tissue type, blood meal, and T. cruzi infection status, showing that metavirome diversity varied significantly among host species. Our findings demonstrate a species-specific metavirome and the presence of virus taxa linked to insects, plants, and vertebrates, highlighting the complex ecological interactions between viruses and triatomines. This study uncovers a diverse and largely novel set of metaviromes within North American Triatominae, providing a foundation for future research on virus-vector interactions.

That insect - the Triatominae or ‘kissing bug’. According to the organization, it can transmit Chagas disease. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Tuesday report raising awareness about the deadly “kissing bug” disease also known as Chagas. Chagas disease can cause severe fatigue …