Behavioural responses to human skin extracts and antennal phenotypes of sylvatic first filial generation and long rearing laboratory colony Rhodnius prolixus

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Mario Iván Ortiz¹  Alejandro Suárez-rivillas¹  Jorge Molina¹ 

[1] ,Universidad de los Andes Facultad de Ciencias Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología TropicalBogotá,Colombia

关键词: Rhodnius prolixus;    Chagas disease;    skin odours;    chemoreception;    bacteria;    antennal sensilla;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0074-02762011000400013

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Chagas disease is a major public health issue and is mainly spread by Triatominae insects (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Rhodnius prolixus is the main vector species in Northern South America. Host-seeking behaviour in R. prolixus is mediated by different compounds that are produced by and emanate from the host or microbiota on the host's skin. We tested the behavioural responses of sylvatic first filial generation (F1) and colony insects to extracts of human skin with a dual choice olfactometer. In addition, we compared the antennal phenotypes in both populations. No statistical differences were found between the two populations at the behavioural level. Both showed a preference for face and feet extracts and this effect was abolished for face extracts after treatment with an antibacterial gel. The observation of the antennal phenotype showed that there were differences between both groups in the total length, total surface area and number and density of bristles. However, the number and density of chemoreceptive sensilla (basiconic and thin and thick-walled trichoids) and the total density of sensilla did not show statistically significant differences. These results demonstrate that colony insects, which have only been fed with living hens for the last 30 years, are attracted by human skin extracts in a similar way as F1 sylvatic insects.

【 授权许可】

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