Eggs and all nymphs of these species were studied employing light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The major differences observed by LM in the eggs were related to the presence and the distribution of pores on the surface of their chorion. Morphological differences among three nymphal stages (1st, 3rd, and 5th) development of each species were observed. The differential characteristics are chromatic and in the shape of connexival spots. The ultrastructure of the ventral region of the head and the IX, X, and XI abdominal segments (anal tube) of the both species were described demonstrating morphological differences that can be used for diagnosis of the species.

The ultrastructural morphology of the ventral region of the head (rostrum and buccula) and proesternum (stridulatory sulcus) of nymphs from the 1st to 5th instars of Triatoma guazu Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979 and Triatoma jurbergi Carcavallo, Galvão & Lent, 1998 was described. Morphological differences between the two species and of the five nymphal stages development of each species were observed. These structures showed systematic differential characteristics of the studied species and may be used to increase their taxonomic range.

There are several specific complexes belonging to the genus Triatoma Laporte, 1832, which are generally associated to specific geographic areas. Recent publications have linked the oliveirai complex to ecosystems of Mato Grosso, which are also present in other Brazilian states and even in other bordering countries as eastern Paraguay. The study of the abundant material collected during the last years allowed the description of several new species of the oliveirai complex: T. jurbergi Carcavallo, Galvão & Lent, 1998; T. baratai Carcavallo & Jurberg, 2000 and T. klugi Carcavallo, Jurberg, Lent & Galvão, 2001. Another new species belonging to the same complex is described here as T. vandae sp.n. It originates from the state of Mato Grosso, and has been reared in the insectary of the Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos, Departamento de Entomologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro.

Eggs and nymphs of Triatoma jurbergi were described using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. T. jurbergi is a wild species, found in State of Mato Grosso (15ºS and 300 m.a.s.l), Brazil. Eggs showed the operculum and surface with pentagonal and hexagonal cells, with small fractures and punctuations randomly distributed. Differences were found in the five nymphal stages of T. jurbergi, that allow their to be distinguished from the similar species T. guazu. The diagnostic characters most useful for differentiation were the general color of the insect, abdomen shape and its length.

A distribuição geográfica de Triatoma deaneorum Galvão, Souza & Lima, 1967, nova denominação para Triatoma deanei, é ampliada baseada em um espécime recentemente encontrado no município de Chapada de Guimarães, próximo a Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil. A nova denominação é baseada no Código Internacional de Nomenclatura Zoológica.

Authors extend the geographical distribution of Triatoma deaneorum Galvão, Souza & Lima, 1967, new designation for Triatoma deanei, based on a specimen recently found in Chapada dos Guimarães, near to Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new designation is based on the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças significativas de desenvolvimento ninfal da espécie Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927, submetida a diferentes condições de temperatura e umidade, que se encontra distribuída na região Norte do Brasil (Acre, Amazonas e Pará) e na Colômbia, no Equador, no Peru e na Venezuela. MÉTODOS: Formaram-se três grupos de Rhodnius robustus, mantidos em diferentes condições de laboratório: 33/40 (33+/-1°C e 40+/-5% UR -- umidade relativa), 33/70 (33+/-1°C e 70+/-5% UR) e 28/70 (28+/-1°C e 70+/-5% UR), para observar o período de incubação dos ovos, o desenvolvimento de cada estádio, os percentuais de mortalidade e os número de repastos realizados. RESULTADOS: O menor período médio de desenvolvimento ninfal foi observado no grupo 28/70 com as médias: 14,4; 17,3; 20,3; 22,8 e 40. O desenvolvimento embrionário apresentou diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos utilizados (p<0,01). O número de repastos teve aumento gradual com a aproximação da fase adulta em todos os grupos testados, exceto no terceiro estádio do grupo 33/70. Os menores percentuais de mortalidade foram os do grupo 28/70. CONCLUSÕES: Temperaturas elevadas, independentes das umidades associadas, podem acelerar o ciclo biológico da espécie. Entretanto, elas podem prejudicar a sobrevivência das colônias, impedindo sua manutenção em laboratório.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the significant differences in the nymphal development of the Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 under different temperatures and humidity conditions. This is a species found in the northern region of Brazil (states of Acre, Amazonas, and Pará), Colombia, Equator, Peru and Venezuela. METHODS: Three groups of triatominae were kept under the following laboratory conditions: 33/40 (33+1°C and 40+/-5% of relative humidity -- RH), 33/70 (33+/-1°C and 70+/-5% RH), and 28/70 (28+/-1°C and 70+/-5% RH). The incubation period of the eggs, developmental time of each stage, mortality percentage, number of bloodmeals, and the total amount of time from the egg hatching to adult ecdysis were observed. RESULTS: The shortest average time of nymphal development was observed in the 28/70 group, with following averages: 14.4, 17.3, 20.3, 22.8, and 40. Significant differences were observed in the embryonic development between the groups (p<0.01). For all groups, the number of bloodmeals had a gradual increase near the adult phase, except for the 3rd instar of the 33/70 group. The smallest mortality percentages were seen in the 28/70 group. CONCLUSIONS: High temperatures, regardless of the humidity, can accelerate the biological development cycle of R. robustus. However, these temperatures can impair the colonies' survival, preventing their maintenance in the laboratory.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as diferenças significativas de desenvolvimento ninfal da espécie Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927, submetida a diferentes condições de temperatura e umidade, que se encontra distribuída na região Norte do Brasil (Acre, Amazonas e Pará) e na Colômbia, no Equador, no Peru e na Venezuela. MÉTODOS: Formaram-se três grupos de Rhodnius robustus, mantidos em diferentes condições de laboratório: 33/40 (33+/-1°C e 40+/-5% UR -- umidade relativa), 33/70 (33+/-1°C e 70+/-5% UR) e 28/70 (28+/-1°C e 70+/-5% UR), para observar o período de incubação dos ovos, o desenvolvimento de cada estádio, os percentuais de mortalidade e os número de repastos realizados. RESULTADOS: O menor período médio de desenvolvimento ninfal foi observado no grupo 28/70 com as médias: 14,4; 17,3; 20,3; 22,8 e 40. O desenvolvimento embrionário apresentou diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos utilizados (p<0,01). O número de repastos teve aumento gradual com a aproximação da fase adulta em todos os grupos testados, exceto no terceiro estádio do grupo 33/70. Os menores percentuais de mortalidade foram os do grupo 28/70. CONCLUSÕES: Temperaturas elevadas, independentes das umidades associadas, podem acelerar o ciclo biológico da espécie. Entretanto, elas podem prejudicar a sobrevivência das colônias, impedindo sua manutenção em laboratório.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the significant differences in the nymphal development of the Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 under different temperatures and humidity conditions. This is a species found in the northern region of Brazil (states of Acre, Amazonas, and Pará), Colombia, Equator, Peru and Venezuela. METHODS: Three groups of triatominae were kept under the following laboratory conditions: 33/40 (33+1°C and 40+/-5% of relative humidity -- RH), 33/70 (33+/-1°C and 70+/-5% RH), and 28/70 (28+/-1°C and 70+/-5% RH). The incubation period of the eggs, developmental time of each stage, mortality percentage, number of bloodmeals, and the total amount of time from the egg hatching to adult ecdysis were observed. RESULTS: The shortest average time of nymphal development was observed in the 28/70 group, with following averages: 14.4, 17.3, 20.3, 22.8, and 40. Significant differences were observed in the embryonic development between the groups (p<0.01). For all groups, the number of bloodmeals had a gradual increase near the adult phase, except for the 3rd instar of the 33/70 group. The smallest mortality percentages were seen in the 28/70 group. CONCLUSIONS: High temperatures, regardless of the humidity, can accelerate the biological development cycle of R. robustus. However, these temperatures can impair the colonies' survival, preventing their maintenance in the laboratory.

The authors describe a new species of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study was made with specimens captured in basaltic formations, at an average altitude of 750 m.o.s.l. The new species is included in the oliveirai complex together with other four species T. williami, T. matogrossensis, T. guazu and T. jurbergi). The new species was compared with the most similar one, T. oliveirai, from which the main differences are on the proportions of head, ante and postocular regions, the general color pattern and the male genitalia, specially on the median process of the pygophore, the support of phallosome, the vesica and the process of the endosome.

Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus is reported for the first time in Argentina. Four adults were attracted by the light of human dwellings in Calilegua National Park, Jujuy, at 1150 masl within the subtropical humid forest. The individuals were similar to those described in the literature. The epidemiological significance of this species is very low in the area, although deforestation might increase its role in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Triatoma jurbergi n. sp. is described based on nine specimens of both sexes deposited in the Rodolfo Carcavallo Collection in the Oswaldo Cruz Institute Entomological Collection. The new species can be separated from the closely related Triatoma guazu Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979 by several characters. The most important are longer anteocular region; thin and pointed juga; the shape of the eyes without concavity in the posterior edge; much longer second rostral segment, passing the posterior edge of eye; the absence of a ventral longitudinal depression on the abdomen; the general color redish, brown and orange and the male genitalia, mainly in the vesica lightly chitinized and smaller, the phallosome with apical projection and the pointed apex of the endosome process.

Geographical Distribution and Alti-latitudinal Dispersion of Some Genera and Species of the Tribe Triatomini Jeannel, 1919 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) - With the currently known distribution of genera and species of the tribe Triatomini Jeannel, 1919, maps and diagrams were prepared, showing the geographical area occupied by the species and their respective dispersion in grades of latitude and altitude. Two genera are not treated: Panstrongylus Berg, 1879, already published and Triatoma Laporte, 1832, that is being published partially in several articles. Genus Eratyrus Stal, 1859, has two species, while Dipetalogaster Usinger, 1939, Mepraia Mazza, Gajardo & Joerg, 1940, Paratriatoma Barber, 1938 and recently created genus Hermanlentia Jurberg & Galvão, 1997, have only one each. The study of these maps and diagrams permits a better knowledge about some ecological requirements of Chagas' disease vectors and detects gaps in the geographical distribution, where the species were not found but probably they could be prevalent

A female of Triatoma guazu Lent & Wygodzinsky, 1979, a rare species from which the allotype was recently described, was studied by scanning electronic microscopy and videomicroscope. Some structures of the head and the thorax are shown. Some of them could have taxonomic importance, as the oculo-ocellar region, the buccula, the anterolateral angle of the collar, the scutellum, wings and the stridulatory sulcus, which has an unusual lateral high rim

A male of Triatoma ryckmani Zeledón & Ponce, 1972, was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Only few specimens of this species are known. In this paper, some structures from the head, thorax, abdomen and distal region of the second leg are shown. Some of them could have taxonomic importance, as the oculo-ocellar region, the buccula, the anterolateral angle of the collar, the scutellum with the process longer than the main body, the stridulatory sulcus with an unusual backward vermiform area, and the tibia-tarsal articulation, with a spongy fossula. The last structure was absent in specimens previously studied (Lent & Wygodzinsky 1979). Differences between this specimen and others previously described by several authors are dicussed.

Sobre Alberprosenia malheiroi n. sp. deu-se a conhecer uma diagnose resumida em 1980, porém sem valor bibliográfico. Em 1987 publicou-se a mesma diagnose anexando uma foto e alguns comentários, porém sem realizar uma descrição formal. Descreve-se para esta espécie, os adultos, os estádios imaturos, determina-se a série sintípica e apresenta-se dados bionômicos e de criação em insetário. As diferenças mais evidentes com A. goyovargasi, a única espécie que se conhecia do gênero até então, são a coloração geral negra, o espaço interocular maior que o tamanho de um olho visto dorsalmente, os tubérculos do colar com o ápice agudo e o tamanho maior, na nova espécie, quase o dobro do da primeira espécie. Os ovos são pequenos, fixados ao substrato em grupos de 3 ou 4, elipsóides, não achatados lateralmente, com o opérculo proeminente, convexo, sem estruturas evidentes. As ninfas apresentam em todos os estádios caracteres típicos do gênero e da tribo, com região anteocular menos longa que a post-ocular e característica pilosidade do tegumento que vai se acentuando a cada estádio. A. malheiroi n. sp. foi capturado em ecótopos silvestres em palmeiras em floresta no Estado do Pará, associados com morcegos ou aves. Nenhum dos exemplares estava infectado com Trypanosoma cruzi. Esses triatomíneos foram mantidos em insetários a ± 25°C e ± 60% UR, são insetos ágeis e voam com relativa facilidade. Alimentaram-se bem em pombos e morcegos e não aceitaram alimentação em ratos, camundongos ou hamsters. O período de incubação dos ovos foi em média treze dias e o tempo de evolução do período ninfal foi em média cento e trinta e dois dias.

Alberprosenia malheiroi n. sp. first became known through an informal publication of a paper submitted a Congress, in 1980. The same diagnosis with a photograph was published in 1987, but no formal description has yeet been made. The present authors describe adults and immature instars, establish a sintypical series and introduce bionomic data and data on the rearing of this species in insectary.The most evident differences between A. malheiroi n. sp. and A. goyovargasi, the former generic species, are the general colour pattern which is completely black; the interocular area, wider than an eye in dorsal view; the acute apex in collar tubercules and the significantly larger size, almost double that of the latter specie. The eggs are small attach themselves to the substratum in groups of either 3 or 4, are elipsoid with no lateral flattening, having a convex and prominent operculum, without conspicuous structures. Nymphs have the typical tribal and generic characteristics in each stage, the anteocular region being shorter than the postocular one. Pilosity appears in the second instar and becomes more evident with instar development. A. malheiroi n. sp. was captured in a forest, in wild (palm-tree) ecotopes associated with bats or birds, in the State of Para, Brazil. Trypanosoma cruzi was not found in any specimens. These triatomines were reared in ± 25°C and ± 60 % RH, the insects are quick and fly without difficulty. They fed well on pigeons and bats but not on rats, mice or hamsters. The eggs incubation period was thirteen days on average, and the evolution time of the nymphal period was a hundred and thirty two days on average.