Biological parameters of the triatomine, Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis, fed on two bloodmeal sources under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Chagas disease is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Latin America, including Mexico. Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis (Stål), 1872 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a Mexican triatomine vector that is commonly associated with hens and rabbits. The biological parameters of two cohorts fed on hens (H) and on rabbits (R) were evaluated. The median lifecycles of the two cohorts were 198 days (H) and 180 days (R). Moreover, mortality was around 30% in both cohorts. Time lapse for beginning of feeding was 0.5-1.9 (H) and 1.1-2.4 min (R). Feeding times of each instar in both cohorts were over 10 min. Most specimens fed on hens defecated immediately after feeding, whereas those that fed on rabbits defecated within 1-5 min post-feeding. Similar numbers of males and females (50%) were obtained in both cohorts. An average of 2.1-2.3 eggs per female per day was noted in both cohorts, with eclosion rates of 95.4 (H) and 88.8% (R). Thus, it can be concluded that M. phyllosomus pallidipennis may take advantage of feeding in hens, as in rabbits, which could imply a higher risk of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission to humans and animals in its distribution area.

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

“…Development times of both cohorts were similar to those in a recent study of a M. p. pallidipennis population from southern Mexico, whereby two cohorts, one fed on hens (Red Star race), and one on rabbits (Chinchilla race), were studied. Similar to a previous study 4 comparing M. p. pallidipennis development times between blood meal sources from two rabbit breeds (New Zealand vs. Chinchilla), when we combine with our current study, we also recorded an apparent lack of influence of rabbit breed (Silver Marten vs. Chinchilla vs New Zealand) on development times.…”

“…Published studies have demonstrated the influence of different blood meal sources on various biological parameters of different species of triatomines. The animals serving as blood meal sources in most of these comparative studies have been pigeons, mice, hens, and rabbits [2][3][4] . In most cases, the triatomines that feed on mammals have more outstanding biological parameters than those that feed on birds [2][3][4] .…”

“…The animals serving as blood meal sources in most of these comparative studies have been pigeons, mice, hens, and rabbits [2][3][4] . In most cases, the triatomines that feed on mammals have more outstanding biological parameters than those that feed on birds [2][3][4] . Similarly, the influence of different blood meal sources on some feeding and defecation behaviors have been studied in Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis, considered as one of the most important vectors of T. cruzi in Mexico 4 .…”

“…In most cases, the triatomines that feed on mammals have more outstanding biological parameters than those that feed on birds [2][3][4] . Similarly, the influence of different blood meal sources on some feeding and defecation behaviors have been studied in Meccus phyllosomus pallidipennis, considered as one of the most important vectors of T. cruzi in Mexico 4 . Interestingly, based on their study of some biological parameters of M. p. pallidipennis in Brazil, some authors find it reasonable to assume the potential role of this species as a vector in environments other than those naturally found in Mexico.…”

“…The initially collected specimens were identified according to the most commonly used taxonomic key by Lent and Wygodzinsky 7 , taking into account the revalidation of Meccus 8 . That colony, as well as the two studied cohorts of M. p. pallidipennis, were maintained under laboratory conditions similar to those in a past study on the biology of this species 4 , at 27 ± 1 ºC and 75 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and a photoperiod of LD 12:12. One of the studied cohorts was fed on immobilized and anesthetized Silver Marten rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the other on Turken hens (Gallus gallus domesticus), on a fortnightly basis.…”