Author/Authors :
Franzim-Junior, Edson Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Tays Mendes, Maria Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Borella Marfil Anhê, Ana Carolina Instituto de Tecnologia e Ciências Exatas - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , da Costa, Thiago Alvares Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Silva, Marcos Vinicius Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Hernandez, César Gómez Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Pelli, Afonso Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Sales-Campos, Helioswilton Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil , Freire Oliveira, Carlo Jose Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais - Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Abstract :
Background: Meccus pallidipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is only found in Mexico and is one of the most important vectors for Trypanosoma cruzi transmission there. Because data concerning the ability of this bug to adapt to different environments are scarce, we aimed to elucidate its biology, behavior and ability to acclimatize to different environ-mental conditions.
Methods: From the eclosion of 90 1st instar nymphs, development was followed until the adult phase. Adults were fed after 30 days of fasting, and the average amount of blood ingested, the time between the beginning of the blood meal and the production of feces, and the frequency of stools/insect were recorded during their meals. After taking a blood meal, couples were isolated and monitored for 21 days, during which eggs were collected weekly.
Results: The development of M. pallidipennis took 171.74±7.03 days to complete its life cycle, and females ingested larger amounts of blood than males. Oviposition was constant and did not demonstrate a significant decrease during this study.
Conclusion: Meccus pallidipennis was able to acclimatize to fluctuating laboratorial conditions other than those naturally found in Mexico.
Keywords :
Behavior , Biology , Hemiptera , Meccus pallidipennis , Triatominae
