Abstract
The triatomines are characterized by obligate hematophagy throughout their life cycle, and they are responsible for the transmission of T. cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, to humans and other mammals. Triatoma costalimai was described by Verano & Galvao (1959) based on nine specimens found among rocks in the municipality of Taguatinga, Goias State, Brazil. The species was named in honor of Angelo Moreifa da Costa Lima, an entomologist from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute. It is a sylvatic species but has been found in peridomestic areas and human dwellings in the States of Bahia, Goias, Mato Grosso, and Minas Gerais, Brazil. Nymphs and eggs of T. costalimai were described using optical microscopy. The eggs are ellipsoid in shape, and mostcells are pentagonal. Nymphs display morphological differences, and the colors, legs, and head maintain the same pattern in most instars. Ontogenetic morphometries was used to visualize the changes that occur during nymphal development. The results showed the discrimination of all instars, but the largest change occurs between the first and second instars.
NSTL