Reproductive physiology in the blood feeding insect, Rhodnius prolixus, from copulation to the control of egg production

What happens after a blood meal? A transcriptome analysis of the main tissues involved in egg production in Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease

“…After a blood meal, a R . prolixus female can produces up to 30 eggs during the following three weeks [ 13 ]. For this reason, knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms used in egg formation are essential to develop novel strategies of vector population control.…”

“…Although in some colonies of the triatomine, Rhodnius prolixus, unfed females can make a small number of eggs from resources that may remain after molting to an adult (autogeny) [12], the large batch of eggs is triggered by ingestion of a blood meal. After a blood meal, a R. prolixus female can produces up to 30 eggs during the following three weeks [13]. For this reason, knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms used in egg formation are essential to develop novel strategies of vector population control.…”

Functional Anatomy of the External and Internal Reproductive Structures in Insect Vectors of Chagas Disease with Particular Reference to Rhodnius prolixus

“…During copulation, the male extends his parameres to make contact with the female genitalia, and during insemination, the curved blunt tips of the parameres wrap around the lateral flaps on the dorsal genital segment of the female. These parameres have been considered homologous to claspers in other insect species [36], but they do not appear to firmly latch on to the female [37]. Preliminary results suggest that the parameres serve a sensory function aiding the male to determine the position of the female genitalia before and during copulation.…”

“…In dissections where the vital dye, methylene blue, is added to the exposed abdomen, this dye is picked up by the reproductive glands and carried in their ducts to the aedeagus where it ends up in the space between the bag-like structure and the medial plate of the aedeagus. Methylene blue does not enter the bag-like structure suggesting that this structure is not designed to receive secretions from the male reproductive organs [37].…”

“…In these bugs, which are closely related to R. prolixus, there is no spermatophore sac and the spermatophores are transferred as a viscous or mucous substance directly to the vagina where they solidify. Chiang and Chiang [37] resolved this discrepancy by observing that the fixed tissue of R. prolixus observed by Davey [36] does not behave like a living tissue.…”