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Influence of starvation and blood meal‐induced moult on the susceptibility of nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus Stål (Hem., Triatominae) to Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. infection
Author(s) -
Luz C.,
Fargues J.,
Romaña C.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0418.2003.00733.x
Subject(s) - rhodnius prolixus , nymph , biology , beauveria bassiana , reduviidae , moulting , instar , blood meal , triatominae , zoology , starvation , rhodnius , botany , hemiptera , insect , endocrinology , biological pest control , larva
The influence of starvation and nutritional status on the time–mortality response of nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus Stål (Hem., Reduviidae) contaminated with Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina, Hyphomycetes) was determined. Because of the induction of the moulting process by the blood meal, first‐instar nymphs were less susceptible on day 12, when they were in pre‐moult. Starvation did not affect nymphal susceptibility to B. bassiana up to a period of 1 month. There was no significant difference in time–mortality responses between unfed nymphs and blood‐engorged nymphs. This information is discussed for microbial control of vectors with respect to the importance of periods of starvation in triatomines under natural conditions.