Effects of environmental temperature on life tables of Rhodnius neivai Lent, 1953 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under experimental conditions

• Main Author: Daniel R Cabello
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 1999-09-01
• Series: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
• Subjects: temperature; vital statistics; Triatominae; Rhodnius neivai; Venezuela
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02761999000500028

Changes in life tables of Rhodnius neivai due to variations of environmental temperature were studied, based on nine cohorts. Three cohorts were kept at 22°C, three at 27°C and three at 32°C. Cohorts were censused daily during nymphal instars and weekly in adults. Nine complete horizontal life tables were built. A high negative correlation between temperature and age at first laying was registered (r=-0,84). Age at maximum reproduction was significantly lower at 32°C. Average number of eggs/female/week and total eggs/female on its life time were significantly lower at 22°C. Total number of egg by cohort and total number of reproductive weeks were significantly higher at 27°C. At 32°C, generational time was significantly lower. At 27°C net reproductive rate and total reproductive value were significantly higher. At 22°C, intrinsic growth, finite growth and finite birth rates were significantly lower. At 22°C, death instantaneous rate was significantly higher.