Everybody loves sugar: first report of plant feeding in triatomines. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Díaz-Albiter, Hector; Ferreira, Tainá; Costa, Samara; Rivas, Gustavo; Gumiel, Marcia; Cavalcante, Danilo; Pavan, Márcio; Gonzalez, Marcelo; de Mello, Cícero; Dillon, Viv; Bruno, Rafaela; Garcia, Eloi; Lima, Marli; de Castro, Daniele; Dillon, Rod; de Azambuja, Patricia; Genta, Fernando
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Rhodnius prolixus -- Chagas disease -- Trypanosoma cruzi -- Triatomine -- Phytophagy -- Sugar meal; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1401-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Triatomines, which are the vectors ofTrypanosoma cruzi, have been considered to be exclusive blood feeders for more than 100 years, since the discovery of Chagas disease. Methods We offered artificial sugar meals to the laboratory model-insectRhodnius prolixus, which is considered a strict haematophagous insect. We registered feeding by adding colorant to sugar meals. To assess putative phytophagy, fruits of the tomatoSolanum lycopersicum were offered toR. prolixus and the presence of tomato DNA was assessed in the insects using PCR. We also assessed longevity, blood feeding and urine production of fruit-exposed triatomines and control insects. Results All instars ofR. prolixus ingested sugar from artificial sugar meals in laboratory conditions. First instarR. prolixus ingested plant tissue fromS. lycopersicum fruits, and this increased the amount of blood ingested and urine excreted. Decreased mortality was also observed after blood feeding. Exposure toS. lycopersicum increased longevity and reduced weight loss caused by desiccation. Conclusions We describe here the first report of sugar feeding and phytophagy in a species that was considered to be a strict blood-feeder for over a century. We suggest that local plants might be not merely shelters for insects and vertebrate hosts as previously described, but may have a nutritional role for the maintenance of the triatomine vectors. The description of sugar and plant meals in triatomines opens new perspectives for the study and control of Chagas Disease.