On the biting activities of some anthropophilic Amazonian Simuliidae (Diptera)

Abstract

Quantitative observations on the biting activities of Simulium simplicicolor Lutz and 5. sanguineum Knab s.l. at Aripuana, Mato Grosso, Brazil, and S. guianense Wise and S. sanguineum s.l. at Urua, Pari, were made during the wet and dry seasons between June 1978 and August 1979. The species demonstrated characteristic attacking patterns regardless of abundance or environmental conditions. S. simplicicolor, S. guianense and S. sanguineum s.l. at Urua demonstrated bimodal biting patterns with early morning and late afternoon peaks. S. sanguineum s.l. at Aripuana, however, bit throughout the day with three peaks of activity. Evidence is presented for circadian control of the biting patterns which are subject to modification by exogenous factors outside of an optimal range. S. simplicicolor seemed to be most affected by light intensity, whereas the other species were affected by variable combinations of light, temperature and humidity depending on the species and population. Physiological age sometimes also modified biting activity in S. simplicicolor. This variable was not studied in the other species. S. simplicicolor and S. guianense preferred biting man on the legs and S. sanguineum s.l. at Urua preferred the upper torso, but S. sanguineum s.l. at Aripuana did not demonstrate a consistent preference for sites above or below the waist. Average engorgement times for all of the populations except the Uru£ population of S. sanguineum s.l. were between 4'3 and 5-3 min.

The influence of climatic parameters in the haematophagic daily activity of Cerqueirellum argentiscutum (Shelley & Luna Dias) (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Amazonas, Brazil

“…Andreazze et al (2002) observed minor activity of P. incrustata in temperatures averaging lower than 20°C and greater between 23.24 and 26.53°C. Lacey & Charlwood (1980) verified that the S. sanguineum (= Cerqueirellum sp.) activity was limited in the beginning of the morning when the temperature was lower than 18°C.…”

“…According to Lacey & Charlwood (1980), some factors act as a block, creating favorable terms for the bite stimulus in the morning or evening period. Simuliids initiate their activity in the first hours of the morning, stimulated by luminosity (Peterson & Wolfe, 1956).…”

Review and phylogeny of Lutzsimulium (Diptera: Simuliidae)

“…But, in almost one century, only one study was carried out on the anthropophilylic habits of the species (LACEY & CHARLWOOD 1980), In spite of the fact that it considered anthropophilic, and is present in a region next to the Amazonian focus of onchocerciasis (SHELLEY et al 1997), and given the possibility of expansion of the disease (SHELLEY et al 2000), very little is known about the biology of this species (PY-DANIEL 1982). …”

Departamento de Ciências Médicas

“…Os trabalhos relacionados aos Simulídeos iniciados por Cerqueira ainda estão no estágio de estudos descritivos e zoogeográficos (Gorayeb & Pinger, 1978), com um único estudo biológico visando possíveis métodos de controle biológico, desde os potenciais vetores da Mansonella ozzardi e Onchocerca volvulus (Mello, ef a/., 1973;Mello & Silva, 1974;PyDaniel, 1979;Lacey & Charlwood, 1980;Py-Daniel & Shelley. 1980).…”