The influence of temperature on the biology of triatominae. IX. Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Abstract

The influence of temperature on the biology of Rhodnius nasutus Stal, 1859 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) was studied in order to obtain a larger number of triatominae reared in laboratory to use in xenodiagnosis and to be able to get information for their proper control. The experiments were performed in two climatized chambers at 25 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 30 +/- 1 degrees C, 70 +/- 5% of relative humidity and photoperiod of 12 hours. Data in relation to evolution cycle, period between emergency of adults and first oviposition, fecundity, fertility, amount of blood ingested and fast resistance, are presented. The mean duration of the evolutive cycle for males and females was 145.7 days at 25 degrees C and 114.2 days at 30 degrees C. The mean of blood ingested to complete the evolutive cycle was 304.3 mg and 350.3 mg, at 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C, respectively. The triatominae survival on conditions of absolute fast was significantly higher at 25 degrees C than at 30 degrees C (P less than 0.01).