RESUMO
Blood-Sucking reduviid specimens reared in the laboratory were found to develop swollen and translucent abdomens at the same time as they acquire physiological disturbances. They die within a few days after the carly observations of swelling symptoms. Light and electron microscopy of their Malpighian tubules and midgut showed some cell disintegration and an accelerated elimination of laminated concretions. Non-occluded virus-like particles were found free in the cytoplasm or inside cytoplasmic globules an nuclei and outside the cells. Spheroidal inclusions were also found in the nuclei. It is possible this virus may by related to the insercts general pathological state. However, experimental data are required support to this hypothesis.