Synchronization of Triatoma infestans (kissing bugs) to photic and non-photic environmental cycles

LOPEZ PJ; VALENTINUZZI VS; RALPH MR; GORLA DE

Mendoza

Congreso; XII Latin American Symposium on Chronobiology-LASC; 2013

Triatoma infestans is the main insect vector of Trypanosoma cruzi (causative agent of Chagas disease). This haematophagous bug is known to feed on diverse hosts, including diurnal and nocturnal species, during each host?s quiescent time. As the host is also its major predator, kissing bugs are subjected to dual selective pressures from a single source (need to feed and need to avoid predation). Therefore, synchronization of feeding with the host?s behavior should be critical to the insects? survival. Despite being considered typically nocturnal, this insect temporarily adjusts to the inactive phase of the available host, either day or night. Our hypothesis is that, there are selective advantages for non-photic stimuli (e.g. host availability) to become predominant synchronizing agents for circadian rhythm, with light playing a role in masking or entrainment though arousal. To test this hypothesis, we will (1) derive phase response curves to photic (light pulses) as well as non-photic (presence of host) stimuli; and (2) assess activity patterns of parasites housed in full (nonphotic only) sensory contact with hosts (nocturnal rodent or a diurnal bird) housed in same or opposite LD cycles. Understanding entrainment mechanisms of the main insect vector of Chagas Disease may be useful in the design of chronobiotic tools for controlling this disease.