RESUMO
Chagas disease is a very important vector-borne disease in México, and Triatoma dimidiata sensu stricto (Latreille) is one of the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, mainly in southern and central states. In the Pacific Coast states with the highest prevalence of human T. cruzi infection, T. dimidiata s. s. is considered as a secondary vector. However, the vectorial capacity of those populations has not been studied. Therefore, the vector characteristics of three populations of T. dimidiata s. s. in western México were evaluated in this study. The populations were maintained in the laboratory at 27 ± 1°C and 75% ± 5% RH with a 12:12 h (light:dark) regime, fed on rabbits in a fortnight basis. The development times were short (172-238 d), and the number of bloodmeals to molt was low (11). Mortality was moderate (36-45%), the onset of feeding was relatively rapid (0.5-1.7 min), and feedings were extended (>15 min). More than 40% of individuals in most instars defecated in one of three categories: <1 min when feeding (5-37.9%), immediately after feeding (9-28.6%), or in <1 min post feeding (7-25.8%). The median number of laid eggs was high (over 2.5) in the three populations, as were the egg eclosion rates (>86%). Thus, the T. dimidiata s. s. in the three populations are potentially efficient vectors of T. cruzi and could contribute to the high prevalence of infection in human populations in western México.