Haematophagic behavior in laboratory of Lutzomyia cruzi (Mangabeira) (Diptera: Psychodidae) in relation to three mammalian blood sources in Manaus, Brazil

Abstract

The sand fly Lutzomyia cruzi is considered as one of vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. This work examined optimum feeding age, feeding time, host preference, fecundity rates, and female blood meal volume taken by single females from a closed colony of L. cruzi. Mean feeding time was longer on hamsters, 6.6 minutes, than on humans, 5.7 minutes. 49.1% of the 48h-old flies fed on humans and 43.3% of 72h-old flies fed on hamsters. Of a total of 120 females, 61% fed on humans and 25% fed on hamsters. Total fecundity was significantly higher in females fed on hamster than on human or opossum. Laboratory-reared L. cruzi females fed earlier, more promptly, and preferably on humans than on hamsters when offered these blood-meal sources simultaneously. The blood-meal volume is higher in females fed on hamsters than other hosts (human and opossum). KEY-WORDSLutzomyia cruzi, vector of visceral leishmaniasis, fecundity, blood meal volume. Comportamento hematofágico de

Sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an urban area, Central-West of Brazil

“…Inside the residences with the highest number of collected insects were, in addition to the residents, there were dogs. This species is eclectic with regard to food habits 50 , which may have favored their collection inside the residences.…”

Phlebotomine fauna, natural infection rate and feeding habits of Lutzomyia cruzi in Jaciara, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…longipalpis obtained from Jequié, state of Bahia, Sobral and Massapé, state of Ceará and Teresina, PI, Afonso et al (2012) detected positive reactions in various animals, predominantly birds (36% in Jequié, 67% in Teresina, 29% in Sobral and 51% in Massapê), using the ELISA method. Chagas et al (2007) studied the haematophagous behaviour of Lu . cruzi bred in the laboratory and found that the females fed more easily on and preferred humans to hamsters when both sources of food were offered simultaneously.…”

Evidência de transmissão de leishmaniose visceral por Lutzomyia cruzi no município de Jaciara, Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil

“…A ocorrência de casos humanos e a presença do L. cruzi, tendo em vista que as fêmeas desta espécie alimentam-se mais facilmente e preferencialmente em humanos 12 , a ocorrência de cães positivos e a ausência de L. longipalpis no município, bem como a detecção de infecção natural por L. (L.) infantum chagasi, evidenciam a participação de L. cruzi na transmissão da LV em Jaciara/MT.…”