Feeding performance of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) on habitual hosts: Thrichomys laurentius (Rodentia: Echimyidae) and humans.

Triatoma brasiliensis is an important vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in the semiarid zones of Northeastern Brazil where it is commonly found in human dwellings, peridomiciliary areas, and the wild environments. To better understand features that may be influencing the interaction of T. brasiliensis with its hosts, in the present work we compared the feeding performance of sylvatic and domestic populations of T. brasiliensis on humans and on Thrichomys laurentius, a wild rodent found in the natural ecotopes of T. brasiliensis. The analyses were performed using the electronic monitoring of the cibarial pump. The blood sources considerably affected the feeding parameters. Insects fed on T. laurentius had lower ingestion rate, gained less weight, had longer interruption time, remained less time in contact with the host, and had the contractions of the pump in a lower frequency during the feeding process in comparison to insects fed on humans. These results indicate that humans are better blood sources for T. brasiliensis than T. laurentius. The fact that there was no difference between the feeding performance of sylvatic and domestic insects suggests that feeding is not a barrier for the domiciliation. Together, these findings suggest that shelter and faster blood meals are qualities of human dwellings that facilitate the domiciliation of T. brasiliensis.