Information on the distribution and synanthropic behaviour of triatomines is essential for Chagas disease vector control. This work summarises such information from northern Peru, and presents new data on
Rhodnius ecuadoriensis
- an important local vector infesting 10-35% of dwellings in some zones. Three species are strongly synanthropic and may be suitable targets for chemical control of domestic/peridomestic bug populations.
Panstrongylus herreri
, the main domestic vector in the area, is probably present in sylvatic ecotopes in the Marañón river system.
R. ecuadoriensis and
Triatoma dimidiata
seem exclusively domestic; biogeographical and ecological data suggest they might have spread in association with humans in northern Peru. Confirmation of this hypothesis would result in a local eradication strategy being recommended. Presence of trypanosome natural infection was assessed in 257 R. ecuadoriensis;
Trypanosoma rangeli
was detected in 4% of bugs. Six further triatomine species are potential disease vectors in the region (
T. carrioni, P. chinai, P. rufotuberculatus, P. geniculatus, R. pictipes, and
R. robustus), whilst
Eratyrus mucronatus
,
E. cuspidatus,
Cavernicola pilosa
,
Hermanlentia matsunoi
, and
Belminus peruvianus
have little or no epidemiological significance. A strong community-based entomological surveillance system and collaboration with Ecuadorian public health authorities and researchers are recommended.
