Abstract

BAR, María E. et al. Feeding and defecation patterns in Triatoma rubrovaria (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) under laboratory conditions. Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2003, vol.62, n.1-2, pp.107-113. ISSN 0373-5680.

Triatoma rubrovaria Blanchard capability to colonize the domicile, to feed upon human and its Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas infection rates justify this investigation. The aim was to characterize the feeding and defecation patterns of T. rubrovaria under laboratory conditions. Both patterns were evaluated simultaneously using 30 fourth-instar and 30 fifth-instar nymphs, and 30 adults. Three repetitions for each nymphal stadium and for the adult stage were made. The insects were fed on chicken during one hour and were weighed before and after feeding, and the blood meal size was determined. The time of the first and subsequent defaecations were measured. It was confirmed blood ingestion in 97.0% of the triatomines and 84.7% fed to repletion. On average the attack time started after 2 minutes. Feeding interruption was observed in 28.6% and was due principally to defecate or as a consequence of host irritability. The mean amount of blood obtained by the fifth-instar nymphs was greater than the blood ingested by the fourth-instar (358.1 and 120.9 mg, respectively) and the adults (73.5 mg). Defecation was verified in the 92.4% of the feeding individuals. The first dejection was emitted on average at 1.7 minutes. It is concluded that T. rubrovaria was fast to obtain its bloodmeal and to emitt the first dejection. Its potential as T. cruzi vector is discussed.

Keywords : Triatoma rubrovaria; Feeding pattern; Blood intake; Defecation pattern; Feeding success.

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