Avaliação da preferência alimentar de Mansonia humeralis Dyar & Knab, 1916 (Diptera: culicidae) frente a diferentes fontes sanguíneas

Abstract

Mosquitoes of the species Mansonia humeralis have marked zoophilia and anthropophily and nocturnal habits. Females have aggressive and voracious behavior during hematophagia, becoming a huge nuisance for humans and animals when in large numbers. Studies regarding hematophagic behavior, with variations in delivery method and different blood sources are needed. to contribute to the development of a methodology for the maintenance of these mosquitoes in the laboratory. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the preference feeding Ma. humeralis against different blood sources under conditions of laboratory. Three blood sources were offered: Mesocricetus auratus, Gallus gallus domesticus and Bos taurus. In the analysis of variance there were differences highly significant (p = 0.0001) related to the amount of blood ingested, considering the three blood sources tested, however Gallus gallus domesticus had the highest average amount of blood ingested by blood source (0.0256g). As for the number of eggs obtained (total number and number of viable eggs and unfeasible) also hears significant differences (p=0.0001), considering the three blood sources, however Mesocricetus auratus presented the most satisfactory in terms of obtaining eggs, with 1001 eggs being produced during the experiment (including viable and non-viable). This study contributes to the methodology of breeding these mosquitoes in the laboratory and will enable several tests that will be fundamental in the control of this species in the Amazon region, resulting in an improvement of the quality of life of populations exposed to bites from these mosquitoes. Keywords: Diptera, mosquitoes, hematophagy.