(Stal, 1859) (Hemiptera, Triatominae): A Chagas Disease Vector or a Complex of Vectors?

is a Chagas disease vector that was found infected with in homes. As this species is endemic from Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro) and no study comparing the specimens from different Brazilian states was conducted, we analyzed the genetic distance (16S rDNA, Cyt b, and COI mitochondrial genes) and the chromosomal characteristics for from Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo. All specimens showed the same cytogenetic characteristics. On the other hand, the different mitochondrial genes demonstrated high intraspecific variation between the genetic distances of from different states ranging from 2.3% to 7.2%. Based on this, our results suggest that possibly what is characterized as is a complex of cryptic species (or subspecies).