Journal of Medical Entomology (2009) 46, 1062-1073

M.A. Milne, E.J. Ross, D.E. Sonenshine and P. Kirsch (2009)
Attraction of Triatoma dimidiata and Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to combinations of host cues tested at two distances
Journal of Medical Entomology 46 (5), 1062-1073
Abstract: The 'kissing bugs,' Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille) and Rhodnius prolixus (Stål) (Reduviidae: Triatominae) are major vectors of Chagas disease in Central and South America. To further uncover the attraction to certain host cues by these vectors at long and short distances from their host, the behavioral responses of two life stages (fifth-instar nymphs and adult males) of these two species to different known or suspected attractants, alone or in combination, were investigated. Tests were done using short- and long-range environments, namely, a four-port olfactometer and a long-range artificial chamber designed to mimic the insect's natural habitats. In single-attractant trials, heat alone and CO₂ alone were found to be more attractive than selected chemicals. In multiple-attractant trials, both species and life stages were attracted at short distances, and a statistically significant synergistic increase in attraction was observed in long-distance multimodal tests. Lures containing CO₂ were the most effective attractants at both long and short distances. R. prolixus adult males were significantly less attracted to several lure combinations than the nymphs of either species, perhaps because adults were more motivated to seek mates than feed. Our findings suggest that although the triatomine bugs may be capable of detecting odorants and heat sources at short distances, their ability to locate a host over a long distance is best aided by the presence of a CO₂ plume.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Daniel E. Sonenshine

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhodnius prolixus
	Triatoma dimidiata