A practical device used for the artificial feeding of small colonies of laboratory triatomines

ABSTRACT

We describe a device designed to feed small and medium-sized colonies of laboratory-bred triatomines (up to 100 nymphs of the first instars or up to 20 5th-instar nymphs or adult insects at a time). The device consists od a tube containing heated water inserted into a larger tube containing defibrinated sheep blood. The end of the larger tube is fitted with a latex bag through which the insects, held in a glass flash, can feed. By using a larger glass flash to hold the insects, up to double the number of nymphs or insects given above can be fed at one time. The device is easy to set up and operate and occupies a small space in the laboraqtory, thus presenting several advantages when compared to other types of equipment used fo9r this purpose. Satisfactory yields of fed Rhodnius prolixus insects, ranging from 70% for first-instar nymphs to 90% for male adults, have been obtained with the present device