H. Schmitz et al., The ability of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera; Reduviidae) to approach a thermal source solely by its infrared radiation, J INSECT PH, 46(5), 2000, pp. 745-751
The ability of the haematophagous bug Rhodnius prolixus to approach a pure
IR source only by its long-wave infrared radiation (IR) was investigated. T
o exclude any heated air from reaching the bug a cooled IR-transmitting win
dow was placed between the IR-source (a Peltierelement heated to 35 degrees
C) and the bug. Starved bugs were tested under invisible short-wave IR ill
umination (lambda<1 mu m) in order to exclude also any visual cues. The num
ber of bugs approaching the IR-source was significantly increased compared
to the controls in which the IR-source was turned off (chi(2)-test, P<0.01)
. Our results show that Rhodnius prolixus can use infrared stimuli to find
a host. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.