Ammonia and colors as attractants to Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae, triatominae) | Amoníaco y colores como atrayentes de Rhodnius prolixus  (Hemiptera: Reduviidae, triatominae)

Fernando Otálora-Luna; Oscar Páez-Rondón; Ingrid Iniciarte; Elis Aldana

Ammonia and colors as attractants to Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae, triatominae) | Amoníaco y colores como atrayentes de Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae, triatominae)

Fernando Otálora-Luna, Oscar Páez-Rondón, Ingrid Iniciarte, Elis Aldana

Resumen

Triatomines (Hemiptera, Triatominae) are the vector insects of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. In this study, we evaluate these insects´ preferences for a number of colored light emitting diodes (LEDs) under laboratory conditions. Then, we combine some of these colored lights with ammonia in order to evaluate the effect that such bimodal stimulation could have on Rhodnius prolixus, historically recognized as the main vector of T. cruzi in Venezuela. A Y-tube dual choice photo-olfactometer was used to carry out behavioral experiments on fifth-instar triatomine nymphs. At the ends of the Y-tube bifurcation monochromatic lights, produced by LEDs, and ammonia were offered. Our results show that blue light attracted R. prolixus (P < 0.01) and that other colors (ultraviolet, green, yellow, red and white) did not lead to positive phototaxis. Ammonia combined with white or blue light, attracted these triatomine insects (P < 0.05). In fact, stimulation with ammonia plus white light resulted in higher attraction than the smell by itself, giving evidence of additive or synergistic effect. In light of our findings, future challenges include understanding, on an ecological level, of the ‘adaptive’ (sensu lato) values of this behavior. Our results confirm the potential of ammonia and blue LEDs used in insecttraps.

Key words: Kissing-bugs, triatomines, Chagas disease, vision.

RESUMEN

Los triatominos (Hemiptera, Triatominae) son insectos vectores del protozoario parásito Trypanosoma cruzi, agente causal de la enfermedad de Chagas. En este estudio se evaluó las preferencias de los triatominos por luces de colores producidas por diodos emisores de luz (LEDs, por sus siglas en inglés). Luego, se combinó algunas de esas luces con amoníaco con el fin de evaluar el efecto que la estimulación bimodal podría tener en Rhodnius prolixus, históricamente reconocido como el principal vector de T. cruzi en Venezuela. Un photo-olfatómetro de opción dual en forma de “Y” sirvió para llevar a cabo los experimentos con ninfas de quinto estadio. Al final de la bifurcación de la “Y”, se ofrecieron amoníaco y luces monocromáticas. Nuestros resultados muestran que la luz azul atrajo a R. prolixus (P < 0,01) y que el resto de los colores (ultravioleta, verde, amarillo, rojo y blanco) no produjeron fototaxis positiva. El amoníaco combinado con luz blanca o azul, atrajo a estos insectos (P < 0,05). De hecho, el estimular los triatominos con amoníaco junto a la luz blanca, resultó que la combinación fue incluso más atractiva que el olor por sí solo, proporcionando evidencia de un efecto sinérgico. A la luz de estos descubrimientos, los futuros retos incluyen la comprensión, a un nivel ecológico, del valor adaptativo (sensu lato) de este comportamiento. Nuestros resultados confirman el potencial del amoníaco y los LEDs azules para ser usados en trampas de insectos.

Palabras clave: Chipos, triatominos, enfermedad de Chagas, visión.

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