Vitellogenesis in the hematophagous Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a vector of Chagas’ disease

Biochemical changes in the transition from vitellogenesis to follicular atresia in the hematophagous Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

“…Conditions for western blot were reported previously (Aguirre et al, 2008). The main subunits of vitellin (Mr w170 and 174 kDa, detected as a single inmunoreactive band) and its proteolytic fragments were probed with anti-Vt antibody (1:5000), followed by incubation with HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (1:5000).…”

“…Recently, we have characterized the changes related to vitellogenesis of anautogenous Dipetalogaster maxima. We have shown at biochemical and cellular level that the gonotrophic cycle is coupled with the intake of blood meal (Aguirre et al, 2008). Under standardized rearing conditions the first oviposition period of D. maxima lasts 25e28 days after blood intake.…”

Less invasive blood sampling in the animal laboratory: clinical chemistry and haematology of blood obtained by the Triatominae bugDipetalogaster maximus

“…Using D. maximus, which is the largest one among the Triatominae bugs, rather large blood samples can be obtained. 10 The adults become as long as 4.5 cm and suck up to 4 mL of blood. 9 In order to prevent blood from clotting during ingestion of host blood and digestion of fed blood, D. maximus uses the protein dipetalogastin as an anticoagulant.…”

Egg detection in females of the polyphagous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Heteroptera: Miridae) by serological techniques

“…These bands probably corresponded to vitellin since is the main egg protein in insects (Raikhel and Dhadialla 1992). These two groups are also found in other Heteroptera, as in the mirid Lygus hesperus Knight (150,140,123,64 kDa) (Hagler et al 1991), and the reduvids Rhodnius prolixus Stal (180,158,50,46 kDa) (Oliveira et al 1995) and Dipetalogaster maxima Uhler (174, 170, 50, 44 kDa) (Aguirre et al 2008). Immunoblot analysis showed that this polyclonal antiserum was specific to the egg proteins or their precursors in M. pygmaeus females because it did not react with males or immature females (Fig.…”

“…The amount of vitellin and vitellogenin can be a measure of reproductive fitness and a potential predictor of fecundity. Some studies have used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine vitellin and vitellogenin contents in females, such as for the parasitoid Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) (Dong et al 2007), the haematophagous insect Dipetalogaster maxima (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) (Aguirre et al 2008), and the heteropterans Podisus maculiventris and Orius insidiosus (Shapiro et al 2000;Shapiro and Ferkovich 2002).…”