Copulation and Mate Guarding Behavior in <I>Triatoma brasiliensis</I> (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Abstract

The hematophagous bug Triatoma brasiliensis (Neiva) is an important vector of Chagas disease in Brazil. We describe the mating behavior of this species in a comparative manner and analyze the effect of time elapsed since the first imaginal bloodmeal on motivation of males to mate, on female mate-rejections, and on overall mating frequency. We also evaluate whether females of this species copulate with several males in short time intervals, and we examine whether the duration of copulation may vary in the presence of other males compared with what is observed with isolated pairs. Age affected the motivation of males to perform mating attempts, whereas nutritional status affected the receptivity of females. Results showed that 70% of the females tested accepted copulating with three males over a period of 90 min, whereas the remaining 30% mated with at least two males. Mating duration in T. brasiliensis was prolonged in the presence of other males compared with observations of isolated pairs, and males of this species performed long postcopulatory associations only in the presence of other males, apparently as a mate guarding response to the presence of potential competitors.

Influence of blood meal and mating in reproduction patterns of Triatoma brasiliensis females (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under laboratory conditions

“…This latter comparison was not significantly different, but any significance may have been masked by the very low oviposition frequency of the unfed females. The % fertility of multiple mated unfed females was also similar to that seen for multiple mated fed females although it has been reported recently that unfed females of T. brasiliensis reject the majority of attempts by males (Vitta & Lorenzo 2009). Since the males remained with the unfed females for the duration of the female's life span in our study, unfed T. brasiliensis will eventually mate given sufficient time.…”

Anatomy of the Spermatophore in Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and Its Applications to the Study of Chagas Disease Vector Biology

“…Although reproductive behavior has been studied in a number of species of Triatominae, [11][12][13][14] there is little information about the production, transfer, and ejection of the spermatophore.…”

The Sexual Behaviour of Chagas' Disease Vectors: Chemical Signals Mediating Communication between Male and Female Triatomine Bugs

“…For the latter two species, pairs remain coupled for shorter intervals, allowing subsequent copulations. For example, aggregated males copulate successively with the same female for T. infestans [53], T. brasiliensis [55], and R. prolixus [47]. Thus, the aggregation of males could be related to a polyandrous mating system [56].…”

“…Thus, the aggregation of males could be related to a polyandrous mating system [56]. Copulating T. brasiliensis males are known to modify their behaviour in response to the presence of other males [55], with the duration of mating being prolonged in pairs copulating in the presence of other males. In addition, long postcopulatory associations were observed with T. brasiliensis Psyche and R. prolixus males mating in similar circumstances [47,55].…”

“…Copulating T. brasiliensis males are known to modify their behaviour in response to the presence of other males [55], with the duration of mating being prolonged in pairs copulating in the presence of other males. In addition, long postcopulatory associations were observed with T. brasiliensis Psyche and R. prolixus males mating in similar circumstances [47,55]. These postcopulatory associations are likely a form of mate guarding geared towards impeding subsequent copulation by other males [57].…”