title: Dynamics of feeding and defecation in Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 1859) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and its potential in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi.
abstract: Adults of Triatoma vitticeps infected by flagellates similar to Trypanosoma cruzi are frequently captured by the inhabitants of rural areas in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo. The dynamics of feeding and defecation were observed in three groups of adult triatomines, consisting of sylvatic T. vitticeps and laboratory-reared specimens of this species and T. infestans. Triatomines were observed from the moment they were presented with an immobilized chicken as a bloodmeal source until 240 min after feeding had ended. Mean times between the end of feeding and defecation for T. infestans, wild T. vitticeps and laboratory-reared specimens of the latter species were 1.2, 21.1, and 64 min respectively. All T. infestans defecated within 10 min of feeding, while only 29.9 of wild and 52.8% laboratory-reared specimens of T. vitticeps did so within this period. These results may explain the low efficiency of T. vitticeps in T. cruzi transmission to man. The shorter time between feeding and defecation in laboratory-reared T. vitticeps may indicate a change in behaviour of this species as a result of adaptation to an artificial environment.
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Entomologia da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Espirito Santo, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos 1468, 29040-090 Vitória, ES, Brasil. claudiney@ppgcf.ufes.br
authors.forename: Claudiney Biral
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Gustavo Rocha
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Paulo Augusto
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.forename: Aloísio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falqueto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000635:transmission; D002645:Chickens; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014224:Triatoma / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi