The life cycle and reproductive patterns of Triatoma rubrofasciata
were studied along with laboratory conditions for the establishment of a
prolific colony. The insects were divided into four groups: two of them
were maintained at room temperature (20.5 C to 33 C and 85%+/-5% of
relative humidity), the other two in a climatic chamber (CC) (temperature:
29 C, humidity: 80%+/-5%). The groups were fed weekly or fortnightly on
Swiss mice. The females from the group kept in the CC and fed weekly had
longer life span, as well as a higher number of eggs, fertile eggs and
hatchings; the group kept in the CC and fed fortnightly had a shorter life
span for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars and a lower mortality rate for all
instars. It was concluded that a constant high temperature (CC at 29 C) is
the most suitable condition for the maintenance of a colony of T.
rubrofasciata regardless of the interval between repasts. {P}
