Chagas disease is endemic to the Americas and is transmitted by blood-feeding
kissing bugs. We evaluated the insecticidal potential of a fungus (Beauveria bassiana
strain Pr-11) against Triatoma infestans, an important vector in South America. This
fungal species was isolated from a locust (Schistocerca piceifrons) that inhabits the
Central Andes region of Peru. Ten days post inoculation, this strain induced high insect
mortality (97%) at low fungal concentrations (2 × 107
conidia/ml) at 70% relative humidity.
The Pr-11 strain outperformed reference strain CCBLE-216 B. bassiana, provided by the
Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture. Our results are consistent with previous reports on the
virulence of this fungal strain against other insect pests. This is the first study to evaluate
an orthopteran-isolated B. bassiana to control Chagas disease vectors. We conclude that
strain Beauveria bassiana Pr-11 is effective against Triatoma infestans, resulting in a
promising tool to control Chagas disease in Peru and may be used in integrated vector
control programs.