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Amines from vertebrates guide triatomine bugs to resources.

Fernando Otálora-Luna1, Patrick M Guerin1

  • 1Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2009 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Journal of Insect Physiology
|September 28, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Triatomine bugs, vectors of Chagas disease, are attracted to volatile amines found in vertebrate excretions. These chemical cues from host wastes guide the bugs toward essential resources for their survival and reproduction.

Keywords:
AminesHost findingInsect vectorSensory ecologyTriatominaeTriatomine bugs

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Area of Science:

  • Entomology
  • Chemical Ecology
  • Vector Biology

Background:

  • Triatomine bugs (kissing bugs) are obligate hematophagous insects crucial to Chagas disease transmission.
  • These nest-living insects rely on vertebrate hosts for blood meals to complete their life cycle.
  • Host excretory products accumulate near nesting sites, potentially serving as cues for bug location.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of volatile amine constituents in vertebrate excretions as attractants for triatomine bugs.
  • To determine specific amine compounds that elicit behavioral responses in different triatomine species.
  • To understand how these chemical signals aid triatomines in locating hosts and resources.

Main Methods:

  • Behavioral assays using a servosphere to measure locomotion in response to volatile chemicals.
  • Testing the olfactory responses of triatomine nymphs (e.g., Rhodnius prolixus) to various volatile amines.
  • Analyzing the attractiveness and locomotive-stimulating effects of ammonia, ethylamine, dimethylamine, isobutylamine, and hexylamine.

Main Results:

  • Triatomine bugs demonstrated increased upwind locomotion towards volatile amine constituents of vertebrate excretions.
  • Fresh chicken feces, a source of amines, showed strong attractiveness to Rhodnius prolixus nymphs.
  • Ammonia, ethylamine, and dimethylamine induced attraction and increased speed/path length in R. prolixus.
  • Isobutylamine and hexylamine increased walking speed and duration in R. prolixus nymphs.

Conclusions:

  • Volatile amines derived from vertebrate metabolism and gut flora serve as crucial olfactory cues for foraging triatomine bugs.
  • These chemical signals, originating from host wastes, facilitate resource location for triatomines.
  • Understanding these chemoattractants can inform strategies for controlling triatomine bug populations and Chagas disease transmission.