Life Cycle and Reproductive Patterns of Triatoma rubrofasciata (De Geer, 1773) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The life cycle and reproductive patterns of Triatoma rubrofasciata were studied along with laboratory conditions for the establishment of a prolific colony. The insects were divided into four groups: two of them were maintained at room temperature (20.5°C to 33°C and 85% ± 5% of The establishment of a longterm colony of this triatomine species in the laboratory is believed to be difficult, since most of them have been shortlived, probably due to unfavorable environmental and feeding conditions. This investigation is aimed at providing more information regarding a better maintenance of this species in confinement. MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 261 eggs was collected from the second generation of a colony from Evandro Chagas Institute, Belém, PA, Brazil, kindly provided by + Corresponding author. Fax: +55-21-521.6913. E-mail: mvbraga@gene.dbbm.fiocruz.br Received 11 August 1997 Accepted 23 March 1998 Dr Adelson AA de Souza, and kept in the Biology and Control of Vector Insects Laboratory, at Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Brazil. As soon as the hatching occurred, the 1st instar nymphs were divided into four groups: two of them were kept in a climatic chamber (CC) (temperature: 29°C; humidity: 80% approximately) and the other were kept at room temperature (RT) (temperature: 20.5°C to 33°C; relative humidity (R.H).: 91.3 ± 4.3%). Both nymphs and adults were fed on Swiss mice. The groups were studied as follows: (a) group kept at RT and fed weekly (34 first instar nymphs); (b) group kept at RT and fed fortnightly (55 first instar nymphs); (c) group kept in CC and fed weekly (55 first instar nymphs); (d) group kept in CC and fed fortnightly (35 first instar nymphs).The insects were kept in glass containers, wrapped in black cardboard and covered with nylon netting bound by an elastic band. A filter-paper was placed on the bottom of the containers so as to absorb the insects' excreta and another was folded and placed vertically inside the container to be used as substrate. Each instar was put in separate containers. The adults were individually identified (Mac Cord et al. 1983) and were separated in couples after the completion of the nymphal cycle. In the four groups all females were kept permanently with males, except in the case of death of the males. The matings were confirmed by the presence of a spermatophore capsule inside the glass containers where couples were kept.The following parameters were observed: number of ecdyses, mortality rate of the nymphs as

Life cycle and vectorial competence of Triatoma williami (Galvão, Souza e Lima, 1965) under the influence of different blood meal sources

“…The hatching egg rate of T. williami was close to that achieved by others species in laboratory conditions, asT.arthurneivai (92.8%, Juarez, 1970), Braga et al, 1998) and…”

Influence of the blood meal source on the biology of Meccus picturatus Usinger 1939 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) under laboratory conditions

“…They are generally above 80% (Zeledón et al 1970b, Rabinovich 1972, Zárate 1983, Braga et al 1998, Cabello & Lizano 2001, Gomes & Silva 2001, although percentages less than 75% have been recorded for most Mexican triatomines, such as M. mazzottii (58.7%) (Malo et al 1993 Egg hatching rates in M. picturatus in this study (78.1% on the cohort fed on hens and 82.1% in the cohort fed on rabbits) reflects the similarity between conditions in the natural habitats of M. picturatus and those present in laboratory conditions. Mortality showed an irregular pattern.…”

“…According to some authors (Juarez 1970, Diotaiuti & Dias 1987, Lima-Gomes et al 1990, Braga et al 1998, Guarneri et al 2000a) the life cycle of at least 7 Triatominae species (4 Triatoma spp.) were shorter on cohorts reared on mammals (mice) than on those reared on birds (chicken, pigeons or hens).…”

Biology of three species of the Meccus phyllosomus complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) fed on blood of hens and rabbits

“…However, it is possible to arrive to valid conclusions when methodologies and conditions are very similar. Some authors (Juarez 1970, Diotaiuti & Dias 1987, Lima-Gomes et al 1990, Braga et al 1998, Guarneri et al 2000a have published that the life cycle of at least seven Triatominae species were shorter on cohorts reared on mammals (mice) than on those reared on birds (chicken, pigeons or hens). However, the only two published researches about Meccus species (M. picturatus and M. longipennis), report no significant (p > 0.05) difference when cohorts fed on hens and fed on rabbits or fed on rats were compared (Martínez-Ibarra et al 2003a).…”