Description of Triatoma huehuetenanguensis sp. n., a potential Chagas disease vector (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

Abstract

A new species of the genusTriatomaLaporte, 1832 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) is described based on specimens collected in the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala.Triatomahuehuetenanguensissp. n.is closely related toT.dimidiata(Latreille, 1811), with the following main morphological differences: lighter color; smaller overall size, including head length; and width and length of the pronotum. NaturalTrypanosomacruzi(Chagas, 1909) infection, coupled with its presence in domestic habitats, makes this species a potentially important vector ofTrypanosomacruziin Guatemala.