Development of trypanosomatids in the phytophagous insect Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrochoridae): a light and eletron microscopic study

Abstract

Experimental infections of the phytophagous Hemiptera Dysdercus peruvianus with different trypanosomatids were studied for up to 55 days by light microscopy while the course of infection with Leptomonas seymouri and the Leptomonas isolate 49/553G.O. was analyzed by electron microscopy. Rates of infection of D. peruvianus varied according to the infecting flagellate. The lower part of the midgut was found to be the preferential site of colonization where most flagellates were found isolated or arranged in clumps or rosettes. Specialized junctional structures with host cells were never observed. Flagellates could also be seen inside midgut cells within a parasitophorous vacuole. Infection of haemocoele and salivary glands was also observed.

Leptomonas wallacei Shows Distinct Morphology and Surface Carbohydrates Composition Along the Intestinal Tract of Its Host Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) and in Axenic Culture

“…(Molyneux et al 1981), and L. seymoury, Phytomonas sp. and Phytomonas serpens in Dysdercus peru‐vianus (Moraes et al 1994). Among these, Laugé and Nishioka (1977), Mehlhorn et al (1979), Molyneux et al (1981), Schaub and Breger (1988), and Romeiro et al (2003) studied the natural infection of these protozoa in their hosts.…”