BIOLOGY OF TRIATOMA-PSEUDOMACULATA CORREA AND ESPINOLA, 1964, UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS (HEMIPTERA, REDUVIIDAE, TRIATOMINAE)

Observations were made on the evolutive cycle of Triatoma pseudomacula ta, held under laboratory conditions, fed weekly on bird (pigeon). Of 60 eggs obtained, only 34 nymphs reached the adult stage in a period o f <(X)over bar (S)> = 398 +/- 76 days. The following parameters were o bserved: the time immature stages took to develop from egg to adult em ergence; the occurrence of the first meal; the time-lapse between the presenting of the blood-meal and the beginning of feeding; time of fee ding; amount of blood ingested; variation of weight 24 hr after the bl ood-meal and until the next blood-meal; and the defecation pattern. Th e experiment was carried out for 20 months, held in BOD incubator with the aver age of temperature and humidity, of 28 +/- 1 degrees C and 8 0 +/- 5% RU, respectively.