This paper describes population structure, spatial distribution
and habitat selection of wild and peridomestic populations of
Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard, 1843). Field studies were carried
out at Las Piedras and La Bolsa in the Northern Department of
Artigas, Uruguay. A semicircular sampling area, divided in seven
or eight triangular sectors was sequentially examined from
October 1990 to November 1991. At Las Piedras (typical wild
habitat) 1063 T. rubrovaria bugs were collected from 84% of the
rocky outcroops ("pedregales"). Abundance varied by season
peaking in October-November (spring). Throughout the year, mast
of the population was made up of third, fourth and fifth instar
nymphs; adults were found from October to March. In the
peridomestic environment of La Bolsa, however T. rubrovaria was
less common and showed a more irregular instar distribution.
Colonized ecotopes, were those close to houses. In both sites T.
rubrovaria was mainly associated with the geckonid Homonora
uruguayensis and the cockroach Blaptica dubia.
