Abstract: Objective To describe the geographical distribution of Triatoma rubrofasciata (T. rubrofasciata) in Guangdong Province, and to identify the morphological and molecular biological characteristics of this species. Methods The investigation was carried out in 23 counties of 8 cities in western Guangdong and Pearl River Delta. T. rubrofasciatae were collected by manual inspections and light trapping, and subjected to orphological identification using light microscopy. The DNA of T. rubrofasciata was extracted, and Cytb gene was amplified and sequenced with PCR and aligned with that in the GenBank. Results A total of 273 triatomines, 36 of which were nymphae and 237 were adults, were captured from 23 different counties in 8 cities in Guangdong. All collected bugs were identified as T. rubrofasciata by morphology. The phylogenetic tree based on the Cytb gene showed that the sequence of T. rubrofasciata from Guangdong was highly coincident with that of this species from Hepu County of Guangxi Province. The sequence homology was up to 94. 91% (GenBank:MH368018. 1). In addition, nine incidences of triatomines bite were observed during the investigation. Conclusion T.rubrofasciata is widely distributed in western areas and the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province, and the incidence of T.rubrofasciata bite often occur in residents in these areas, which suggests that enhanced surveillance and control of T.rubrofasciata are necessary.

Key words: Triatoma rubrofasciata, Investigation, Geographical distribution, Morphological characteristic, Guangdong Province