Advances, pitfalls, and challenges in triatomine genomics

Chagas' disease remains one of the most neglected vector-borne infections in the Americas, with transmission shaped by the extraordinary ecological and evolutionary diversity of triatomine bugs. Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, whose genomic resources now guide functional studies and control strategies, triatomines have long remained underexplored. Recent advances in long-read sequencing and chromosome-level assemblies are beginning to change this landscape, enabling investigation of key traits such as domiciliation, dispersal, feeding behavior, and insecticide resistance. Yet critical gaps persist, including limited species representation, scarce transcriptomic resources, and the near absence of genome editing or population-scale data. Triatomine genomics now stands at a decisive turning point, offering unprecedented opportunities to inform surveillance and transform vector control strategies.