Estudos biológicos e biométricos de Ornithocoris toledoi Pinto, 1927 (Cimicidae: Hemíptera)

Abstract

Biological studies on Ornithocoris toledoi Pinto, 1927, an ectoparasite of Gallus gallus L., were performed under laboratory conditlons. The life-cycle of this parasite was observed when it was fed on its natural host as well as on 2 abnormal host species. It was found that O. toledoi was able to complete its life-cycle when Oryctolagus cuniculus L. and Cavia porcellus L. were utilized as hosts. The inmature stages were described for the first time anda biometrical analyses of both adults and inmatures was also performed. The life-cycle of this species, in which could be observed only 4 nymphal instars, takes an average of 26 days to complete: the first 3 instars last about 6 days each and the 4th. instar about 7 days. Is was observed that the molts were dependent upon a previous blood meal and that most nimphs were able to molt after 2 blood meals. - 65 - Adults of O. toledoi resisted from 40 to 60 days of starvation, although significant differences could be found between isolated and paired specimens. The longevity of the reproducing females was about 5 times shorter than that of the virgin females; this last group laying no eggs whatsoever. It was noted that the females remaining paired during 10 days as well as those that mated only once during their life-span layed about half of the number of eggs produced by those remaining paired during most of their life. In these 3 groups of females egg production ceased, However, on the 56th. day after the separation of the couples. The average egg production was 89 eggs per female during the entire life-cycle, with an average fertility rate of about 93%. O. toledoi is a species easy to rear in the laboratory and since their colonies can also be easily maintained, it seems to be a good experimental model.