AGGREGATION PHEROMONE IN 5 SPECIES OF TRIATOMINAE (HEMIPTERA, REDUVIIDAE)

An aggregation pheromone found in the faeces of 5th instar nymphs and adults of Triatoma mazzottii Usinger, Triatoma longipennis Usinger, Tr iatoma pallidipennis (Stal), Triatoma barberi Usinger and Rhodnius pro lixus (Stal) was studied under laboratory conditions. Bioassays were p erformed using a 30 cm-diameter arena and a wind tunnel. T. longipenni s nymphs showed a stronger response than the other triatomine nymphs t ested. There were no significant differences in faecal attractiveness to nymphs, but the faeces of T. longipennis and T. pallidipennis were most active. The responses of all species to male and female faeces of T. mazzottii was significantly different, but there was no significan t difference in the responses of the development stages to male and fe male faeces of T. mazzottii. However, male faeces were more active tha n female faeces. The feeding status of nymphs did not affect the respo nse.