Abstract

Triatomines (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease in America. These true bugs have traditionally been considered to be blood suckers, although some species have been catalogued as being entomophagous. By using their highly specialized mouthparts, these insects have evolved a stereotyped habit which includes lifting up the proboscis, piercing and sucking, when the occasion arises. Most triatomines bite their sleeping and unaware vertebrate or invertebrate hosts, but they can also search for other targets, guided, in part, by visual and chemical stimuli. In this study, we observed that triatomines apparently visually identify a drop of water in the distance, then taste it with their legs, upon which proboscis extension and sucking ensues. This invariant behavior or fixed action pattern, observed in several triatomine species (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans and Panstrongylus geniculatus), was also elicited by a dummy drop of water and guava fruit. We discuss evolutionary and ethological aspects of this innate behavior. Digital video images related to this article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo180314rp01a and http://www.momo-p.com/showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo180314rp03a.

Highlights

  • A fixed action pattern (FAP) denotes a highly stereotyped behavioral sequence released by a particular stimulus (Kogon 1941; Lorenz 1981)

  • Each R. prolixus, T. infestans and P. geniculatus adult, and R. prolixus fifth-instar nymph encountered the drop of water when they walked in the experimental arena by vision and/

  • Triatomines used in this study were starved for 4–5 weeks and showed an appetitive behavior (Immelmann 1983; Otálora-Luna et al 2004) comprising a period of searching until locating a stimulant adequate to trigger the consummatory act (Craig 1918; Tinbergen 2006) of drinking

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Summary

Introduction

A fixed action pattern (FAP) denotes a highly stereotyped behavioral sequence released by a particular stimulus (Kogon 1941; Lorenz 1981). This instinctive behavior is relatively invariant within a species, and once initiated almost inevitably runs to completion. Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) are referred to as “kissing bugs” because they usually bite close to the mouth of humans, and have evolved mouthparts highly specialized for piercing and blood sucking, which they lift and extend when the occasion arises

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