Autogeny in Three Species of Triatominae: Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma rubrovaria, and Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Autogeny, the capacity of a female to lay eggs without having ingested any blood meal in the adult stage, was studied in three species of Triatominae: Triatoma infestans, Triatoma rubrovaria, and Rhodnius prolixus. When nymphs of T. rubrovaria and R. prolixus were fed chicken blood, autogeny occurred frequently, even with only one meal. In T. infestans autogeny was frequent as well, but demanded at least two nymphal blood meals. Total number of autogenic eggs was positively correlated with the body weight of the adult female. We conclude, therefore, that autogeny is common in Triatominae.