Biology of nymphs of Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 (Hemiptera, Rreduviidae), fed on pigeon or on swiss mouse blood in laboratory conditions

Abstract

The duration of the life cycle of Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 as well as the mortality rate of each nymphal instar were studied comparing groups fed on pigeon or on mouse blood weekly or fortnightly. This species showed a better development and lower mortality rate when fed on swiss mouse. The intervals between feedings apparently did not have influence on the shortening of the cycle. We suggest that laboratory colonies and experiments with R. robustus are better maintained when these triatomines are fed on swiss mouse.

Effects of blood meal source on food resource use and reproduction inTriatoma patagonicaDel Ponte (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

“…This high ratio reflects a low efficiency of conversion of blood to eggs. These results are consistent with those reported for other triatomine (Diotaiuti and Dias 1987, Gomes et al 1990, Braga et al 1999, Guarneri et al 2000, Nattero et al 2011), suggesting that mammal blood has a higher nutritional quality than bird blood and, as described above, digestion of pigeon blood requires an increased energy expenditure that may also influence reproductive parameters. The E value offers a measure of the individual fecundity in relation to the amount of blood ingested and of the blood remaining in the stomach from a 5 th instar nymph (Chiang and Chiang 1995).…”

“…In triatomines, blood meal size may be affected by different environmental (temperature) and physiological (age of the insect, gonadotrophic cycle status, previous history of food, and food source) factors (Catalá de Montenegro 1989, Lehane 1991, Catalá et al 1992). Blood meal source has been considered an important factor affecting nymphal development and mortality as well as reproductive parameters related to the adaptation to different host‐feeding preferences of each species, among other factors (Braga et al 1999, Guarneri et al 2000, Emmanuelle‐Manchado et al 2002, Martínez‐Ibarra et al 2003). These differences can be attributed to the environment where they live and to the natural history of each species (Cabello et al 1987, Guarneri et al 2000).…”

Comportamiento alimenticio de Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) en condiciones de laboratorio

“…Por otro lado, los trabajos de Aldana, et al (29), y de Braga, et al (30), en los que observaron el ciclo biológico de R. robustus más corto cuando eran alimentados con sangre de mamíferos, pueden indicar una mayor adaptabilidad a estos huéspedes.…”

Ciclo biológico de Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 alimentado con sangre humana en condiciones de laboratorio

“…Silva & Silva (1988) alimentando sobre gallina determinaron el efecto de la temperatura sobre el ciclo biológico y parámetros reproductivos de R. robustus. Braga et al (1999) alimentando sobre ratón y paloma, encontraron que el tiempo del ciclo biológico se completa en menor tiempo y la mortalidad de las ninfas es menor, cuando R. robustus es alimentado sobre ratón. Rocha et al (2001), alimentando sobre paloma encontraron que el ciclo biológico de R. robustus era afectado por la temperatura y la humedad relativa.…”