Octenol as Attractant to Nyssomyia neivai (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in the Field

The kairomone octenol is known as attractive to hematophagous Diptera such as mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and midges. There is little evidence that traps baited with octenol are also effective in attracting phlebotomine sand flies. The present report evaluated octenol in modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traps in two experiments: 1) modified CDC trap without light and 2) modified CDC trap with light. The traps were baited with octenol at concentrations of 0.5, 27, and 43 mg/h in Rifled() locality, São Paulo, Brazil. Traps without octenol were used as controls. The sand fly Nyssomyia neivai (Pinto) (=Lutzomyia neivai) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) was the prevalent species (99.9%) in both experiments. The results of the experiments showed that traps baited with octenol at 27 and 43 mg/h caught significantly more N. neivai than control and octenol at 0.5 mg/h with and without light. This is the first report that shows that octenol itself is attractive to N. neivai and associated with light traps significantly increases the catches.

Immunomodulatory effects of tick saliva

Ticks are bloodsucking ectoparasites that cause great damage to host organisms, so these ectoparasites are of great importance in medicine and veterinary medicine. All the biological success achieved by ticks is due to the action of bioactive components present in their saliva, which are synthesized by the salivary glands. These components have great diversity of functions such as enabling feeding and the permanence of ectoparasites on hosts, since they modulate immune system acting as complement inhibitors, immunosuppressors, cytokine expression modulator and chemokine binders of hosts. In addition, these components are an important source of protective antigens. In this sense, salivary glands/saliva are considered a potential source of multifunctional molecules. In this context, many studies have been conducted aiming at searching to establish a better understanding on the biology and morphophysiology of some organs such as salivary glands, as well as elucidate the complex relationship of these ectoparasites with their hosts. Such studies are conducted with the main objective of developing new immunobiological products aimed at the alternative control of ticks, as well as for the identification and isolation of bioactive molecules with pharmacological properties and with great therapeutic potential in the search for treatments for some diseases.

Acid phosphatase activity in Malpighian tubules of Triatoma infestans Klug

Acid phosphatase activity was detected in the Malpighian tubules of the bloodsucking hemipteran, Triatoma infestans. The enzyme activity was especially prominent in the cytoplasmic globules which were assumed to be laminated 'concretions', which occur in the distal cells of the organ. It was also verified in the nuclei and in some cytoplasmic granules (lysosomes) of the proximal cells. The data indicated that lysosomes were involved with the nature or origin of the laminated concretions, but it is still questionable whether acid phosphatase activity exists in the nuclei.

Effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil (Ricinus communis) on the oocyte yolk components of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Rhipicephalus sanguineus are bloodsucking ectoparasites, whose main host is the domestic dog, thus being present in urban areas and closely located to people. Eventually, this tick species parasitize humans and can become a potential vector of infectious diseases. Methods to control this type of pest have been the focus of many research groups worldwide. The use of natural products is increasingly considered nowadays, due to the low toxicity levels to the host and low waste generation to the environment. This study tested the effect of ricinoleic acid esters from castor oil (as an potential acaricide) on the reproductive system of R sanguineus females, more specifically on the vitellogenesis process. For this, two groups were established: the control group (CG) and the treatment group (TG) with five rabbits in each (New Zealand White), used as hosts. NaCl and ester were added to rabbits' food and offered to the hosts. After full engorgement, the females were collected and had their ovaries extracted. The ticks ovaries were submitted to histochemical techniques so the effects of esters could be observed over polysaccharides, proteins and lipids yolk. Changes in the deposition of yolk components were observed. This caused modifications on elements of polysaccharide origin and on glycoprotein compounds, interfering in the final yolk synthesis and compromising the development of the future embryo. © 2012.

Diagnóstico molecular e relações filogenéticas entre nove espécies de Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mini review: karyotypic survey in triatominae subfamily (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

The Triatominae subfamily consists of 145 species distributed in 18 genera and grouped in six tribes. Currently, there are 86 karyotypes described in the literature, distributed in 11 genera. There are five chromosomal complements described for these bloodsucking insects, out more, 22 (20A+XY), 23 (20A+X1X2Y), 24 (20A+X1X2X3Y), 21 (18A+X1X2Y), 25 (22A+X1X2Y). Thus, we review all triatomine species with the number of chromosomes described in the literature. Through these data highlight the importance of further analysis cytogenetic with karyotype description in Triatominae subfamily, since it can help as an important tool cytotaxonomy and mainly allows the understanding of the evolution of this important group of insect vectors of Chagas disease.