The Biology and Vector Capability of Triatoma Sanguisuga Texana Usinger and Triatoma Gerstaeckeri (StÅL) Compared With Rhodnius Prolixus (StÅL) (Hemiptera: Triatominae)1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Observations were made of the life history of 2 Texas specie of Triatoma, and a South American vector of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, under varying environmental conditions. It is suggested that the life cycle of T. s. texana in southwest Texas is 24–30 months and that of T. gerstaeckeri 9–14 months. Adults of R. prolixus will survive the winter in the San Antonio area of Texas. The feeding and defecation habits of R. prolixu make it a better contaminative transmitter of T. cruzi than the other 2 species. T. s. texana and T. gerstaeckeri preferred to feed with at least the rear legs in contact with a surface other than the host and rarely crawled on the animal's body except under extremely crowded conditions. Conversely, R. prolixus did not hesitate to crawl on the host's body in an effort to feed. All 3 species preferred mammalian blood, but would feed and survive for long periods on cold-blooded vertebrates. The various stages of Triatoma are particularly vulnerable to being fed upon by other bugs during the process of ecdysis. In a 2-year period, 142 wood rat dwellings were examined for bugs and 85 (68.5%) contained 213 nymphs and 16 adults of T. s. texana and T. gerstaeckeri. Seventy-nine (30.1%) were infected with T. cruzi-like organisms. During 2 summers, 698 adult T. gerstaeckeri were collected in blacklight traps. Most bugs were collected between 12:00–7:00 AM when the temperature was between 24–29°C. Male bugs appeared in the spring 2 weeks before the females. The largest flights occurred in May, June, and July. Of 698 bugs examined, 544 (77.9%) were infected with T. cruzi-like organisms. Infection rates in bugs were higher in the area where armadillos were more prevalent than wood rats.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: