Sexual distinction between 5th instar nymphs of six species of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

• Main Authors: João Aristeu da Rosa, José Maria Soares Barata, Nilso Barelli, Jair Licio Ferreira Santos, Francisco Miguel Belda Neto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 1992-06-01
• Series: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
• Subjects: sexual distinction; scanning; nymphs; Triatominae
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02761992000200014

The aim of this paper is to present the analysis of sexual morphological differences observed in 5th instar nymphs of the following species: Panstrongylus megistus; Rhodnius neglectus; Triatoma brasiliensis; T. infestans; T. matogrosensis and T. tibiamaculata. Male and female nymphs were examined and photographed with a Scanning Electron Microscope. The 9th segment dimensions of dorsal and ventral faces were determined through a Profile Projector. Results and statistical analysis showed significant differences: the 9th sternite is significantly broader in male than female nymphs, while in five species; tergites in female nymphs are broad and in male are narrow.