Molecular detection of blood meal source up to three months since the last meal: Experimental starvation resistance in triatomines.

• Molecular blood meal detection in Rhodnius robustus during starvation was evaluated. • Recovering of blood meal source occurred until the 13th week of artificial starvation. • No significant difference in weight between nymphs and adults after feeding was seen. • A direct correlation between bug weight and positive blood meal source is suggested. • Nymphs have better starvation resistance to the death than adults, surviving 27 weeks. The identification of Blood Meal Source (BMS) in hematophagous vectors contributes to a better understanding of the ecology of hemoparasite transmission. Those insects can endure long periods without feeding, waiting for a favorable setting. Although this represents an important behavior observed in those groups, such as triatomines, little is known about how time can affect BMS detection, especially considering extended periods. To comprehend to which extent this behavioral phenomenon can impact molecular detection, we submitted two groups of Rhodnius robustus to increasing periods of starvation under experimental conditions. It was possible to recover the BMS until the 12th week of the starvation process. Nymphs were more resistant to prolonged periods of starvation (up to more than 189 days) than adults (maximum of 137 days), with no significant difference between their weights after being fed. The study brought new insights to the understanding of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission by R. robustus in the nature, with a temporal perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]