The sexual behaviour of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): an experimental study

Pires, Herton Helder Rocha; Lorenzo, Marcelo G.; Lazzari, Cláudio R.; Diotaiuti, Liléia; Manrique, Gabriel Aguilera

doi:10.1590/s0074-02762004000300010

Cited by 29 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Given that no orientation responses to sexual pheromones have been clearly described for triatomines, research on this topic is needed. The mating behavior of several triatomine species has been described, and consists of a sequence of behavioral steps performed mainly by males (Rojas et al 1990; Manrique and Lazzari 1994;Pires et al 2004;Vitta and Lorenzo 2009). In addition, female receptivity to male copulatory attempts has been shown to affect mating success in Triatoma infestans, Panstrongylus megistus, and T. brasiliensis (Manrique and Lazzari 1994;Pires et al 2004;Vitta and Lorenzo 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of Triatoma brasiliensis Males to Volatiles Produced in the Metasternal Glands of Females

Vitta

Bohman²,

Unelius

et al. 2009

J Chem Ecol

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In many insects, mate finding is mediated by volatile sex pheromones, but evidence for this phenomenon in triatomines (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) is still fragmentary. Recently, it was shown that metasternal glands (MGs) are involved in producing signals related to the sexual communication of Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus. Based on this, we tested whether MG volatiles could be involved in the sexual communication of Triatoma brasiliensis. Odor-mediated orientation responses were studied by using a T-tube olfactometer. These tests showed that males exhibit positive anemotaxis when confronted with adult odor-laden air currents. Moreover, females that had their metasternal glands occluded did not elicit significant orientation by males. Compounds produced by the MGs of T. brasiliensis females were identified by means of SPME, GC-FID, and GC-MS, with achiral and chiral columns. All substances identified were ketones and alcohols, and similar compound profiles were found in the secretions produced by both sexes. The most abundant compounds identified were 3-pentanone, followed by (4R)-methyl-1-heptanol, 3-pentanol, and (2S)-methyl-1-butanol. In addition, GC-EAD recordings showed that the antennae of males responded to several of the main components of female MG secretions. Our results showed that compounds produced by the MGs of T. brasiliensis females are involved in the sexual communication of this species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of Triatoma brasiliensis Males to Volatiles Produced in the Metasternal Glands of Females

Vitta

Bohman²,

Unelius

et al. 2009

J Chem Ecol

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“…Copulation behavior in Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) involves a sequence of behavioral steps performed mainly by males (Rojas et al 1990, Rojas and Cruz Ló pez 1992, Manrique and Lazzari 1994, Pires et al 2004. Individual males normally attempt mating if other adult bugs approach them.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Copulation and Mate Guarding Behavior in <I>Triatoma brasiliensis</I> (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Vitta

Lorenzo²

2009

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The hematophagous bug Triatoma brasiliensis (Neiva) is an important vector of Chagas disease in Brazil. We describe the mating behavior of this species in a comparative manner and analyze the effect of time elapsed since the first imaginal bloodmeal on motivation of males to mate, on female mate-rejections, and on overall mating frequency. We also evaluate whether females of this species copulate with several males in short time intervals, and we examine whether the duration of copulation may vary in the presence of other males compared with what is observed with isolated pairs. Age affected the motivation of males to perform mating attempts, whereas nutritional status affected the receptivity of females. Results showed that 70% of the females tested accepted copulating with three males over a period of 90 min, whereas the remaining 30% mated with at least two males. Mating duration in T. brasiliensis was prolonged in the presence of other males compared with observations of isolated pairs, and males of this species performed long postcopulatory associations only in the presence of other males, apparently as a mate guarding response to the presence of potential competitors.

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“…Although reproductive behavior has been studied in a number of species of Triatominae, [11][12][13][14] there is little information about the production, transfer, and ejection of the spermatophore.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anatomy of the Spermatophore in Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and Its Applications to the Study of Chagas Disease Vector Biology

Pereira-Lourenço

Santos-Mallet

Freitas³

2013

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. The present study focused on spermatophore structure, transfer, and subsequent destination inside bloodfeeding females of the species Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius neglectus. The morphology of the spermatophore differed between the species studied, such that in T. infestans, the shape was ovaloid, whereas in R. neglectus, the shape resembled a rod. Structures' spine-like cuticulars distributed across the inner surface of the vagina of both species were observed; however, the role of these cuticulars is unknown in Triatominae. In both species, there was an opening in the spermatophore exactly where the common oviduct is connected, thereby making it possible to confirm that the process of spermatozoid migration takes place through this opening. The results obtained show that the spermatophores of T. infestans and R. neglectus differ in size, shape, and structure. Therefore, they can be used as taxonomic markers and may provide information regarding physiology and evolution.

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The sexual behaviour of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): an experimental study

Cited by 29 publications

References 20 publications

Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of Triatoma brasiliensis Males to Volatiles Produced in the Metasternal Glands of Females

Behavioral and Electrophysiological Responses of Triatoma brasiliensis Males to Volatiles Produced in the Metasternal Glands of Females

Copulation and Mate Guarding Behavior in <I>Triatoma brasiliensis</I> (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Anatomy of the Spermatophore in Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and Its Applications to the Study of Chagas Disease Vector Biology

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