Daily variation of the response to heat in Rhodnius prolixus: the roles of light and temperature as synchronisers

Abstract

Triatominae are blood-sucking insects that localise their hosts with their multimodal host associated perceptive signals. Among that sensory information, one of the main short-range cue is heat which, even in isolation, is able to trigger the Proboscis Extension Response (PER) preceding the bite. Previous studies have demonstrated a rhythmic variation of the response to host signals compatible with the nocturnal habits of triatomine insects. This study was aimed at determining whether the PER to heat was also modulated by a daily variation and, if so, if it was an endogenous or exogenous rhythm. We also investigated what was used as a synchroniser between light and temperature. The results showed that alternation of light and darkness was required to ensure a high level of responsiveness to heat in early scotophase while the temperature cycle appeared with a weaker synchronisation power. We concluded that the responsiveness to heat was an exogenous rhythm synchronised by a complementary control of light and temperature cycles. The involvement of two synchronisers hierarchically organised might have increased the plasticity of the host-seeking behaviour to cope with environmental conditions.

Keywords: Daily rhythm; Heat responsiveness; Host seeking; Triatominae.