The development of Panstrongylus herreri under fluctuating environmental conditions

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Edson Franzim Junior, Maria Tays Mendes, Ana Carolina Borella Marfil Anhê, Afonso Pelli, Marcos Vinicius Silva, Virmondes Rodrigues Junior, Helioswilton Sales-Campos, Carlo Jose Freire Oliveira
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Panstrongylus herreri; Biology; Life cycle; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0250-2016; https://doaj.org/article/13e39bb515ec498aa2220889e7f44aa6

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Panstrongylus herreri is a main Chagas disease vector, and its success as a vector stems from its ability to establish domiciliated colonies; we aimed to explore its biology and reproduction. METHODS: The average amount of blood ingested and the time from the beginning of a blood meal to the production of feces were recorded. RESULTS: Females exhibited a higher blood ingestion rate than males, but similar defecation times and frequencies were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the detected decrease in oviposition rates, P. herreri’s potential as a Chagas disease vector in environments other than the Amazon forest cannot be discounted.