Triatoma rubrovaria
has become the most frequently captured triatomine species since the control
of
T. infestans
in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. In order to evaluate the
genetic variability of this species, field collections were performed in
four municipalities where it has been reported and distant from 75 to 322
km. Specimens were analyzed by color pattern and isoenzymes. Nine enzymatic
loci were interpreted from nine enzymatic systems. The Santiago population
was isolated from the others with chromatic monomorphism and diagnostic
alleles at Idh and Pgm loci. The study shows the existence of, at least,
two distinct populations of
T. rubrovaria
in RS with different phenotypic and genetic pattern.
