Abstract

GARCIA, Germán O; PATERLINI, Carla A  and  BECKER, Peter H. The use of hematophagous insects for blood collection in birds: the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) as a case study. Hornero [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.1, pp.53-56. ISSN 0073-3407.

The objective of this study is to update the description of a technique for obtaining blood samples in birds and to show its efficiency in a colony of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) located in Lake Banter, Germany. The techniques currently used involve the capture and handling of birds and the extraction of blood with hypodermic needles, which can cause stress in the individual studied. In this study a minimally invasive technique was used using hematophagous insects of the order Heteroptera. The modifications of the original design of the technique are described and it was shown that there was a high efficiency in the sampling, in terms of time and number of samples taken.

Keywords : Blood-sucking bug; Dipetalogaster maximus; Incubation period; Sterna hirundo.