Smoke Bombs, Ovitraps and Other Low Environmental Impact Tools for Controlling Kissing Bugs and Mosquitoes

The Triatoma infestans bedbug (known in Argentina as "vinchuca") and four species of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis and An. darlingi) are the main insect vectors of disease in Argentina. Since 1977, the Argentine Pest and Insecticide Research Center (CIPEIN) has been doing research on these insects and developing products for their control that have a low impact on human health and the environment. Recognized as a Reference Center by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, CIPEIN was a pioneer in the development of insecticide products in Latin America. The aim of this article is to review the status of the health issues involving kissing bugs and mosquitoes in Argentina and to describe the main contributions of CIPEIN to their study and control.