Biological parameters of the Triatomine bug, Triatoma rubida (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) reared in an artificial feeding system

Triatominae, commonly known as kissing bugs, are blood-feeding insects that carry the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease. In the southwest US, Triatoma rubida is the most prevalent species, but information on feeding behavior and life history is limited. We collected T. rubida specimens from four locations in New Mexico and reared them under laboratory conditions using an artificial feeding system with defibrinated rabbit blood. Nineteen out of twenty females (95%) fed on blood, laying a total of 920 eggs over eight weeks, with an average of approximately 6.4 eggs per week per female. The pre-oviposition time averaged 25.3 days, with an egg hatching rate of 72.1%. First, second, third, and fourth instar nymphs took between one and four blood meals to molt, which occurred 18-45 days post-feeding. About 53.4% and 36.15% of first and second instar nymphs molted, respectively, while only 12.5% of third and fourth instar nymphs molted. The fifth instar phase is currently being observed, with the adult stage yet to be reached. Extended pre-feeding times of nymphs in artificial feeding conditions have led to a prolongation of the nymphal development period. The pre-feeding gap is larger for the earlier instars while lower for the later instar stages. Optimization of feeding and rearing conditions is discussed to reduce pre-feeding times in nymphal stages.