Abstract
Several important biological parameters for estimating the vectorial capacity of a triatomine species were determined on a Mexican population of the recently described Triatoma huehuetenanguensis Lima-Cordón, Monroy, Stevens, Rodas, Rodas, Dorn, Justi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae). The biological parameters were the egg-to-adult development time, number of blood meals required for molting, cumulative mortality, onset time for feeding, feeding and defecation behaviors, and fertility and fecundity of T. huehuetenanguensis. The median egg-to-adult development time was 253 days, with 11 blood meals required for molting. A cumulative mortality rate of 47.41% was observed. The time to begin feeding was between 2.5 and 3.5 min. Feeding times were longer than 15 min. The highest percentages of defecation delays were 1 to 10 min in all nymphal instars and also in males. In contrast, significantly (P < 0.01) more females defecated while eating. At the end of the cycle, the percentage of the obtained females was 54.9%. The mean number of eggs laid per day per female for a month was 2.08. These eggs had an eclosion rate of 98.08%, with an incubation period of 19 days. Our results contribute to estimations of the potential role of T. huehuetenanguensis in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in its distribution area.
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