An inside look at the sensory biology of triatomines

BARROZO, RB; REISENMAN, C; GUERENSTEIN, P; LAZZARI, CL; LORENZO, MG

JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2017 vol. 97 p. 3 - 19

0022-1910

Although kissing bugs (Triatominae: Reduviidae) are perhaps best known as vectors ofChagas disease, they are important experimental models in studies of insect sensoryphysiology, pioneered by the seminal studies of Wigglesworth and Gillet more thaneighty years ago. Since then, many investigations have revealed that the thermal,hygric, visual and olfactory senses play critical roles in the orientation of these bloodsuckinginsects towards hosts. Here we review the current knowledge about the role ofthese sensory systems, focussing on relevant stimuli, sensory structures, receptorphysiology and the molecular players involved in the complex and cryptic behaviouralrepertoire of these nocturnal insects. Odours are particularly relevant, as they areinvolved in host search and are used for sexual, aggregation and alarmcommunication. Tastants are critical for a proper recognition of hosts, food andconspecifics. Heat and relative humidity mediate orientation towards hosts and are alsoimportant for the selection of resting places. Vision, which mediates negativephototaxis and flight dispersion, is also critical for modulating shelter use and mediatingescape responses. The molecular bases underlying the detection of sensory stimulistarted to be uncovered by means of functional genetics due to both the recentpublication of the genome sequence of Rhodnius prolixus and the availability ofmodern genome editing techniques.