Resistencia al Ayuno en Triatominos (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) Venezolanos. I. Rhodnius prolixus Stal.

FELICIANGELI, M. D., J. E. RABINOVICH E E. FERNÁNDEZ

REVISTA DO INSTITUTO DE MEDICINA TROPICAL DE SãO PAULO

INST MEDICINA TROPICAL SAO PAULO

Lugar: São Paulo; Año: 1980 p. 53 - 61

0036-4665

Resistance to starvation by nymphs and adults of Rhodnius prolixus was studied, and its effects on the female´s fertility and fecundity, as well as on the male´s sexual activity was analyzed. Four groups resulting from the combination of starved and fed individuals were used in the case of adults; the fed individuals were offered a meal on a weekly basis. Maximum longevity of nymphs was observed in instars III and IV (7 months) and instar V (5 months); shorter longevities were observed for instars I (1 month), and II (3 months) and adults (1 month). This finding might explain the age piramid frequently found in both sylvatic and domestic populations, with a typically enlarged middle section: Egg production is clearly correlated with feeding, but a relationship with some climatic changes was also observed. Egg hatching is significantly reduced by starvation, and this was traced to the accesory glands of the males under starvations as well as to the relationship between the number of spermatozoa and eggs. In general, sexual activity of the male is strongly reduced when kept under starvation. The reproductive potential of the population is very different in the various groups of the experimental design, being highest in the case of fed females with starved males, mainly because the spermatozoa maintained viability up to 45 weeks after copulation took place. The importance of these findings in terms of population control is discussed.