Triatomine bugs, also known as conenose bugs or vampire bugs, can transmit Chagas disease to humans. There are 138 species of triatomine bugs, and five in particular are the main vectors of Chagas disease: Triatoma infestans, Triatoma dimidiata, Rhodnius prolixus, Panstrongylus megistus, and Triatoma brasiliensis. Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which the bugs can transmit to humans through their feces.

1. Triatomine bugs: Chagas disease
Khadeeja
“Department of Zooology”
University of Gujrat
21017114-053@uog.edu.pk

2. OUTLINE
Triatomine bugs/Conenose bugs/Vampire bugs
•Classification
•Species
•Morphology
•Habit and Habitat
•Life cycle
•Diseases

3. Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Hemiptera
Sub-Order Heteroptera
Family Reduviidae
Sub-Family Triatominae

4. Species
All 138 triatomine species are potentially able to
transmit T. cruzi to humans
Five species are the most epidemiologically important
vectors of Chagas disease:

5. Triatoma infestans

6. Triatoma dimidiata

7. Rhodnius prolixus

8. Panstrongylus megistus

9. Triatoma brasiliensis

10. Morphology
•The adult bug is 3/4 to 1 inch (2.5
cm) long and dark gray to black in
color
•Wings overlap on the top of the
abdomen forming a distinct letter
“X”

11. Habit and Habitat
•Haematophagous
•Biological transmitters for the Parasite
(Trypanosoma. cruzi)
•Widespread in the Americas with a few species
present in Asia, Africa and Australia
•Live in the nests and burrows of vertebrate
animals

12. Life Cycle

13. Transmitted Diseases
•Chagas Disease—by the
contamination of the wound
with the bug’s FECES and not
SALIVA
•Anaphylaxis—saliva contains
proteins that causes
inflammation in the skin in the
biting site

14.  CHAGAS DISEASE
Also known as American trypanosomiasis
Tropical parasitic disease
Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi

15. Life Cycle

16. Symptoms
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headaches
• Swelling at the site of bite
• Enlarged esophagus
• Enlarged colon
• Heart diseases leading to Heart failure

17. Diagnostic Method
•Finding the parasite,its DNA or
antibodies in the blood

18. Prevention
•Spraying homes and the surrounding areas
with residual insecticides
• Blood bank screening tests
•Chagas disease prevention programs

19. Medication
•Fexinidazole
•Benznidazole
•Nifurtimox

20. Any Question?

21. Thank you