On triatomines, cockroaches and haemolymphagy under laboratory conditions: new discoveries

Abstract

For a long time, haematophagy was considered an obligate condition for triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to complete their life cycle. Today, the ability to use haemolymphagy is suggested to represent an important survival strategy for some species, especially those in genus Belminus. As Eratyrus mucronatus and Triatoma boliviana are found with cockroaches in the Blaberinae subfamily in Bolivia, their developmental cycle from egg to adult under a “cockroach diet” was studied. The results suggested that having only cockroach haemolymph as a food source compromised development cycle completion in both species. Compared to a “mouse diet”, the cockroach diet increased: (i) the mortality at each nymphal instar; (ii) the number of feedings needed to molt; (iii) the volume of the maximum food intake; and (iv) the time needed to molt. In conclusion, haemolymph could effectively support survival in the field in both species. Nevertheless, under laboratory conditions, the use of haemolymphagy as a survival strategy in the first developmental stages of these species was not supported, as their mortality was very high. Finally, when Triatoma infestans, Rhodnius stali and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus species were reared on a cockroach diet under similar conditions, all died rather than feeding on cockroaches. These results are discussed in the context of the ecology of each species.

The Evolutionary Origin of Diversity in Chagas Disease Vectors

“…Moreover, additional to hematophagy, members Triatominae have been documented to exhibit predacious behavior, [17–22] which contributes to increasing the doubts about the subfamily monophyly, defined mainly by feeding habits. Indeed, if the hematophagous feeding habit independently appeared multiple times in the subfamily, Triatominae should be considered polyphyletic (Figure 2).…”

“…Built based on morphology, before DNA sequence data were readily available, both tribes have been shown to be monophyletic [1, 22–24], however new DNA based phylogenetic data show that genera within each group are not (Figure 3, Key Figure). …”

Ontogeny, species identity and environment dominate microbiome dynamics in wild populations of kissing bugs (Triatominae)

“…This disparity may stem from inconsistencies between individual sample sets and methodology, but could also reflect Triatominae true biological characteristics. These include lengthy development times through five nymphal instars [38,42], complex physiology of the alimentary tract [38], and accessory feeding strategies, like hemolymphagy (feeding on arthropod haemolymph), kleptohematophagy (stealing a blood meal from another triatomine), and coprophagy (feeding on faeces) known to be employed by some triatomine species [2,[45][46][47][48].…”

Ethological description of a fixed action pattern in a kissing bug (Triatominae): vision, gustation, proboscis extension and drinking of water and guava

“…These bugs are nest-living insects, and given that they share very intimately their nest with their host, are considered a type of ectoparasite (e.g., ticks and lice). Although most triatomines require vertebrate blood to survive, Sandoval et al (2015) have demonstrated by morphometric analysis that Belminus species are entomophagous; contrary to other triatomine species that have been observed practicing hemolymphagy on cockroaches but have not been demonstrated to be able to use such tactics as a prolonged survival strategy (Durán et al 2016). Furthermore, Díaz-Albiter et al (2016) found that Rhodnius prolixus is able to derive physiological benefit from water and sugars from tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum).…”