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

Abstract

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