Raw data from locomotor activity variables, insect weight, linear measurements, size variables and shape variables for each article. Locomotor activity variables, TD: total distance traveled (cm), TM: time spent moving (minutes) and ES: effective speed (cm/minutes). Linear measurements were: body length, fore-, mid and hind leg length, FeL: femur length (mm), TiL: tibia length (mm), FeDW: femur distal width (mm), TiPW: Tibia proximal width (mm), FePW: femur proximal width (mm), CxL: coxa length (mm), MeL: meron length (mm), TrL: trochanter (mm). Size variables (CS), FeS: femur size (mm), TiS: tibia size (mm), CxS: coxa size (mm), MeS: meron size (mm) and TrS: trochanter size (mm). Shape variables, Me: meron shape, Cx: coxa shape, Tr: trochanter shape, Fe: femur shape, Ti: tibia shape.

The active dispersal of triatomines has great epidemiological importance as it constitutes the main mechanism of colonization and reinfestation. Walking dispersal and its locomotor system has been little studied in triatomines. The aim of this study was to characterize the locomotor activity of fifth-instar nymphs of <i>T. infestans</i> and link to morphometric characteristics of the body, legs and their articles. For locomotor activity, each insect was placed on a circular arena and was filmed while walking freely for 10 minutes. The variables analyzed were distance traveled (TD), movement time (TM), and effective speed (ES). Photographs were then taken of the body, the right legs and their articles, and morphometric tools were used to obtain linear, size, and shape metrics. On average, a nymph walked 470 cm and moved for 5 minutes at an effective speed of  98 cm/min. Positive correlations were observed for TD-TM and TD-ES. Body and leg lengths correlated mainly with ES. Linear measurements showed the same pattern for each leg: TD correlated with femur and tibia length, and coxa width; TM did not show correlation, and ES correlated with femur and meron length, and coxa width. Size variables showed different associations for each leg. Shape variables revealed the associations of the meron with TD for foreleg and of the femur with TD for mid and hind leg. The locomotor activity of fifth-instar nymphs of <i>T. infestans </i>was highly variable in time and distance, with a relatively constant speed. The results suggest that linear dimensions are not linked to the function of each leg, but rather the size and shape of the articles. Thus, the specific function of the foreleg during walking would be linked to the size and shape of its proximal part, while that of the hind leg would be linked to the size and shape of its distal part. Our results provide a solid understanding of how the form of the locomotor structures are linked to walking performance.<br>