Natural Infection and Climatic Season Influence the Developmental Capacity in Field-Caught Nymphs.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of the climatic season and infection by , etiological agent of Chagas disease, on the molting capacity of the triatomine vector endemic to Chile. We used wild-caught first-to-fourth instar nymphs during cooling (fall and winter) and warming (spring) periods. After capturing, nymphs were fed at the laboratory, and maintained under optimal rearing conditions.