Behavior of triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) vectors of Chagas' disease. II. Influence of feeding, lighting and time of day on the number of mating, mating speed and duration of copulation of Panstrongylus megistus (Burm, 1835) under laboratory conditions
Dr. J.R. de Almeida
[https://x.com/dralmeidajr][in
Editora Priscila M. S. Gomes
Sexual behavior of the kissing bug Panstrongylus megistus reveals new insights into Chagas disease transmission
A recent laboratory study has shed light on the reproductive behavior of Panstrongylus megistus, one of the main species of kissing bugs responsible for transmitting Chagas disease in Brazil. Researchers investigated how environmental and physiological factors such as feeding, lighting, and time of day directly influence the frequency of mating, the speed at which copulation begins, and the duration of sexual contact between the insects.
In total, 480 pairs of kissing bugs were observed, divided into groups according to the length of food deprivation: no fasting, five days, ten days, and twenty days. The experiments were conducted in two time periods morning and evening and under light or dark conditions. Every behavioral detail was carefully recorded, revealing patterns that help explain the population dynamics of these disease vectors.
The results showed that the highest frequency of copulation occurred in insects deprived of food for five days, at night, and in darkness, with 16 mating events recorded. In contrast, the lowest frequency was observed among recently fed pairs, also at night but under light conditions, with only four mating events.
Another significant finding was that males initiated approaches toward females much more often, highlighting their dominant role in reproductive behavior. Mating speed varied considerably: it was slowest in bugs subjected to 20 days of fasting, at night, under light averaging 23 minutes before copulation occurred. On the other hand, recently fed pairs, observed during the day under bright light, achieved the fastest mating speed, with an average of just 2.9 minutes.
The duration of copulation also showed striking differences. In recently fed pairs, during the day and in darkness, mating lasted about 23.5 minutes. However, in the same group at night and in darkness, the duration increased significantly, averaging 38 minutes. These findings demonstrate the strong influence of both environmental and physiological conditions on the reproductive behavior of the kissing bug.
Beyond describing the intimate biology of Panstrongylus megistus, the study highlights its adaptive strategies that may favor proliferation and, ultimately, increase the risk of Chagas disease transmission. Understanding these reproductive patterns is essential for developing more effective population control strategies in endemic regions.
The research emphasizes that combating Chagas disease goes beyond eliminating the insect itself: uncovering the biological mechanisms that drive its reproduction is a crucial step in reducing the presence of kissing bugs and, consequently, the impact of the disease on public health.
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