Activity levels of female Triatoma infestans change depending on physiological condition

BACKGROUND: Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is the main vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, in South America. Active dispersal of this vector is the principal cause of recolonization of human dwellings previously treated with insecticides. Due to the persistence of vector populations and their movement between habitats, dispersive behavior studies are important for understanding the epidemiology of Chagas disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship among T. infestans females’ activity levels according to their physiological conditions. RESULTS: Two groups of insects were used, unfed and fed females. Each was composed of three subgroups in relation to the reproductive state: fifth-stage nymphs, virgin and fertilized females. There was a significant interaction between reproductive and nutritional states among T. infestans female’ activity levels. During the experiments, unfed and fed nymphs remained inactive. Virgin females showed a dual behavior in their movement; fasted insects were more active. Fertilized females, both fed and unfed, were always active. CONCLUSION: The reproductive and nutritional conditions of T. infestans females affect their activity levels. When females with different reproductive states remained together, fertilized females showed permanent activity levels, suggesting that this subgroup of females represents the highest epidemiological risk as colonizers of human dwellings. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3117-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.