FEEDING AND DEFECATION PATTERNS IN TRIATOMA-SORDIDA

Triatoma sordida is a peridomestic Triatominae that could play an impo rtant role in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, although its vect orial competence is not well known. The aim of this work was to evalua te two aspects of the vectorial competence. the feeding behaviour and defaecation patterns, and to compare them with T. infestans. The feedi ng and defaecation patterns were studied in adults and fifth instar ny mphs of T. sordida fed ad libitum on a restrained pigeon. The results showed how the blood meal size controls excretion behaviour. Blood int ake and time to first defaecation showed a significant negative correl ation. Adults and nymphs frequently defaecated during the blood meal, reaching the maximum frequency within the first 10 minutes.