Filling dynamics of the Brindley?s glands in the blood-sucking bug Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

PALOTTINI F.; GONZÁLEZ, ANDRÉS.; MANRIQUE, G.

JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014

0022-1910

The filling dynamics of exocrine defensive glands is an important component of the defensive capacity ofan insect in its natural environment. We studied the filling state and reloading rate of the Brindley?sglands in the haematophagous Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).Quantitative analyses of isobutyric acid, the main secretion component, were carried out with glands dissectedfrom adults under different scenarios of development, number of discharging events and feedingconditions. The alarm-pheromone function of the gland secretion was also assessed in bioassays withconspecific nymphs. Although pharate adults have their glands completely developed, these were not fulluntil imaginal ecdysis. If kept undisturbed, the adults maintained a constant gland load, and dischargedabout 75% of the gland contents upon one disturbance event. While the glands can be discharged severaltimes, full replenishing was not complete after one week, unless the insect had access to food. The escapebehavior of nymphs in bioassays correlated with the chemical analyses, with nymphs showing significantavoidance only toward gland discharges from undisturbed or disturbed/fed adults. The results arediscussed in reference to the feeding frequency and gregarious behavior of T. infestans under natural conditions,which suggest a relevant role of the filling dynamics of the Brindley?s glands in the intraspecificcommunication of the insect.