Substrate texture properties induce triatomine probing on bitten warm surfaces

FERREIRA, RAQUEL A; PEREIRA, MARCOS H; LORENZO, MARCELO G

PARASITES AND VECTORS

BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

Año: 2011 vol. 4

1756-3305

In this work we initially evaluated whether the biting process of Rhodnius prolixus relies on thedetection of mechanical properties of the substrate. A linear thermal source was used to simulate the presence ofa blood vessel under the skin of a host. This apparatus consisted of an aluminium plate and a nickel-chrome wire,both thermostatized and presented at 33 and 36°C, respectively. To evaluate whether mechanical properties of thesubstrate affect the biting behaviour of bugs, this apparatus was covered by a latex membrane. Additionally, weevaluated whether the expression of probing depends on the integration of bilateral thermal inputs from theantennae.The presence of a latex cover on a thermal source induced a change in the biting pattern shown bybugs. In fact, with latex covered sources it was possible to observe long bites that were never performed inresponse to warm metal surfaces. The total number of bites was higher in intact versus unilaterallyantennectomized insects. These bites were significantly longer in intact than in unilaterally antennectomizedinsects.Our results suggest that substrate recognition by simultaneous input through thermal andmechanical modalities is required for triggering maxillary probing activity.