Biological characteristics of Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) fed on two different hosts

Abstract

Introduction: Different blood meal sources can affect biology of triatomines. Methods: We studied the influence of two different blood meal sources (rabbits and hens) on five biological parameters in Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis and collected biological parameters. Results: The cohort fed on rabbits had a shorter median life-cycle and lower mortality rate than that fed on hens. Both cohorts required a similar number of blood meals to reach adulthood. Median longevity and number of blood meals for adults were similar between both cohorts. Conclusions: The studied parameters reflect the high grade of adaptation of M. p. pallidipennis feeding on different hosts.

Triatoma pallidipennis (Stål, 1872) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and its potential for infestation in Tecozautla, Hidalgo state, Mexico

“…The biology of T. pallidipennis has been studied widely, addressing various features. Life-cycle aspects, such as blood meals, fecundity, mortality, feeding time, post-feeding time defecation delay, as well as the influence of the blood meal source under laboratory conditions, have been evaluated, indicating that T. pallidipennis could be considered as an efficient vector (Martínez-Ibarra et al 1999, 2004, 2014, Valenzuela-Campos et al 2019). Furthermore, the risk factors associated with infestation by T. pallidipennis has been reported to occur in domiciles and peridomiciles, mainly in the state of Morelos (Bautista et al 1999, Enger et al 2004, Ramsey et al 2005, Cohen et al 2006), but data also exist from the states of Michoacán and Guanajuato (López-Cárdenas et al 2005, Martínez-Ibarra et al 2011).…”