During this project visit, we plan on collecting triatomine insects from around the Granite Mountains Reserve. As mentioned in the project, these insects have the capacity to vector Trypanosoma cruzi, a deadly parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans. Triatomine insects also feed on desert woodrats belonging to the genus, Neotoma. These rodent hosts are primarily responsible for the sylvatic cycle of Chagas disease. After discussing with Tasha La Doux, it was mentioned that there has been a large number of both Neotoma and Triatomine species observed in this region. We would like to perform a nocturnal collection using sheetlighting and baited CO2 traps to attract and collect triatomines in the area. These triatomines will then be removed and taken back to our laboratory at the University of South Carolina for analysis.

Approved