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Techniques for routine and large-scale rearing of Rhodnius prolixus Stål (Hem., Reduviidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

B. O. C. Gardiner  and
S. H. P. Maddrell
B. O. C. Gardiner
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Department of Zoology, Downing Street. Cambridge
S. H. P. Maddrell
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Department of Zoology, Downing Street. Cambridge
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Extract

An improved technique for small-scale rearing of Rhodnius prolixus Stal on rabbits is described. For feeding, the bugs are presented in tubes closed with silk to the shaved stomachs of rabbits; between feeds the bugs are held in 1-lb glass jars at 28°C. Large-scale rearing by this method was precluded by the amount of handling required. Feeding on defibrinated blood resulted in a survival rate to the adult stage of less than 10%, but sheep on which up to 6 600 fourth instar could be fed weekly proved satisfactory hosts, although they had to be replaced after 1–9 weeks as they developed a resistance which prevented the bugs feeding. A large-scale rearing technique is described in which instars 2–5 are presented to sheep in wire cages covered with nylon netting while instar 1 and adults are fed on rabbits; between feeds the bugs are housed in 3½–7-lb glass jars or in net-covered cages. A production of 4 000 fed fourth instar or larger bugs per week for 18 months was achieved, sometimes reaching 7 000 per week.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , February 1972 , pp. 505 - 515
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

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References

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