Chemical ecology of triatomine bugs: vectors of Chagas disease.
Knowledge of chemical ecology of haematophagous triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) could be of practical value because this polyphyletic subfamily includes species of medical importance, such as vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. For particular species of Dipetalogaster, Panstrongylus, Rhodnius and Triatoma, therefore, we review information on exocrine glands and products, interpreting their apparent roles as semiochemicals in the aggregation, alarm, defence, host-finding and sexual behaviour of these Triatominae.
Cruz-López
L
L
Departamento de Entomologia Tropical, ECOSUR, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. lcruz@tap-ecosur.edu.mx
Malo
E A
EA
Rojas
J C
JC
Morgan
E D
ED
D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D014225:Triatominae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D010675:Pheromones