Competencia vectorial de Triatoma platensis (Neiva) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): patrón alimentario y excretor en adultos y ninfas de quinto estadio

The objective of this work was to determine food pattern and excretory behaviour of nymphs of V stage and adults of Triatoma platensis, processes directly related to the transmission of T. cruzi. After a period of fasting of 20 days, each insect was fed �ad libitum� on pigeon (Columbia livia L.). In each feeding recorded: time of attack, the feeding, the first dejections and the number of defecations during the food and 30 minutes pos-ingestion. The results showed that the 80 and 90 percent of nymphs and adults, respectively, emits the first defecation during the first five minutes post ingestion. To the thirty minutes the 100% of the insects defecated. The registered excretion pattern indicates T. platensis is a species that defecates quickly.