The natural habitats of triatomine bugs are the nests and resting sites of mammals and birds, particularly palm trees, hollow trees, tree cavities, burrows and rock crevices. The vast majority of approximately 137 species are confined to the New World.^[18,19] Seven of 13 Old World species are closely related to Triatoma rubrofasciata, which has been disseminated around the world by shipping, in association with the rat (Rattus rattus). T. rubrofasciata transmits Trypanosoma conorhini to rats by the contaminative route. The strange Old World genus Linshcosteus has six species. An unidentified trypanosome species similar to T. conorhini has recently been isolated from Linshcosteus in India.

Five species of triatomine bug have become notorious vectors of Chagas' disease because they have adapted so well to colonize human dwellings. T. infestans is the main vector in the southern cone countries of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay). Rhodnius …