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Section Symposium

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

One Health Approaches to Vector-borne Disease Surveillance and Control

Developing and implementing an integrative pest management (IPM) program for the Florida kissing bug: Lessons learned from the field

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
4:33 PM – 4:56 PM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 221 B, PCC
Oral Presentation
Kissing bugs are hematophagous insects which harbor the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. They are vectors which can transmit T. cruzi to susceptible hosts, including humans, companion animals and other wildlife or zoo/exotic animals. At least 11 species of kissing bugs are naturally occurring throughout the southern half of the United States, and several are known to invade homes and bite residents. In the state of Florida, our multidisciplinary team has taken a One Health approach to tackling invading kissing bugs. Entomological field surveys coupled with community science initiatives have identified Triatoma sanguisuga (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatomoniae) in 23 counties located in the panhandle, north and central Florida regions from 2020 until present day. Further molecular studies and blood meal analysis have shown a diverse array of hosts and upwards of 30% detection of T. cruzi among these vectors. At the request of community members due to ongoing invading kissing bugs and concerns for possible autochthonous Chagas disease, we developed an integrated pest management strategy (IPM) process for Florida Triatoma sanguisuga. Principles for this IPM program are designed to 1) prevent invasion and domiciliation of human dwellings, 2) inspection and monitoring for kissing bugs, 3) identification techniques of the Florida kissing bug, 4) implementation tactics for at-risk communities, and 5) annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. Communication and education of kissing bugs and the importance of this IPM program have led to decreased burden of invading Florida kissing bugs among the homes we have studied.