Dos ejemplares de Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus fueron capturados en una vivienda de El Hatillo, estado Miranda. En ambos se confirma la presencia de Trypanosoma cruzi. Se estudian algunos parámetros biológicos para estimar el comportamiento de uno de los aislados (Pr), encontrándose que tanto el cultivo en medios acelulares como la inoculación en ratones fueron exitosos. Así mismo, 73,3% de los Rhodnius de laboratorio se infectaron y 30,6% de los parásitos presentaron metaciclogénesis, mientras que in vitro se obtuvo 25,5%. La identificación molecular correspondió a T. cruzi. Este hallazgo es importante debido a la posible emergencia de esta especie silvestre que por alteración antrópica de sus hábitats naturales puede estar en proceso de dispersión, penetración y domiciliación de las viviendas, implicando la posibilidad de transmisión del parásito al ser humano y animales domésticos.

Two specimens of Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus were captured in a house in El Hatillo, Estado Miranda. In both specimens the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi was confirmed. We studied some biological parameters for estimating the behavior of the isolates, finding in both that cell-free culture media as inoculation in mice were successful. Also, 73.3% of Rhodnius prolixus fed on infected mice became infected and 30.6% of the parasites developed to metacyclic forms whereas in vitro only 25.5% was obtained. Furthermore, the molecular identification corresponded to T. cruzi. This finding is important due to the possible emergence of wild species by anthropogenic alteration of their natural habitats, and this may become a process of dispersion, penetration and clearance of houses, implying the possibility of transmitting the parasite to humans and pets.

Este estudo contém o primeiro reporte da estridulação observada em Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus Champion, 1899, e um novo registro desta espécie na Venezuela. Descrevem-se as condições em que ocorre a estridulação, como também as características gerais das localidades onde foi capturado. Este triatomino só emite som em condições de extrema provocação.

This study contains the first report of stridulatory sound observed in Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus Champion, 1899, and also a new record of this species in Venezuela. The conditions in which stridulation occurred are described, as well as the general environmental characteristics of the localities where it was found. This triatomine only performs the sound in conditions of extreme provocation.