OBJECTIVE:

To describe the occurrence of triatomines in the rural area of Caruaru City, Pernambuco State, Brazil, from 2011 to 2012, indicating areas of risk for Chagas disease, based on the records of the main triatomine species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Data about triatomines obtained from Caruaru Vector Control Department database were: number of residences, houses with annexes, number of inhabitants, type of house, occurrence of triatomines, identified species, and location of houses.

RESULTS:

Of the total of 888 houses analyzed, 85.4% (758) were plastered masonry constructions all covered with roof tiles, most of them (34.1%, 303) with only one annex and inhabited by 2,236 people. In the 75 (8.4%) houses where triatomines were found (41 with annexes and 34 without annexes), distributed in 32 localities of the rural area of Caruaru, there were 211 (9.4%) inhabitants. The most common species found in the residences were Triatoma brasiliensis (26.8%), Panstrongylus lutzi (26.8%), and Triatoma pseudomaculata (12.2%).

CONCLUSION:

The alteration in the distribution of the species, in the study area, demonstrated the adaptability of these vectors to anthropic action, reinforcing the necessity of educational policies and constant monitoring of the affected areas, aiming to interrupt the transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi.

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