The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Entomology Branch, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
J Med Entomol. 2024 Nov 14;61(6):1345-1367. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjae119.
Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) are hematophagous insects that transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent for Chagas disease, to humans and other mammals. As medically important vectors, species such as Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) have long been used as a model organism for physiological studies. Laboratory rearing of triatomines is needed to support vector and parasite research. Many environmental conditions, such as suitable housing containers, light source and duration, temperature, humidity, and density, must be addressed when adapting triatomines from a natural habitat for artificial rearing to create conditions for optimal growth and survival. Food source is also an important factor, as triatomines are considered the obligate blood feeders. Parasites and pathogens present risks not only for triatomines but also for the laboratorians handling them. Equipping an insectary space should apply best practices to ensure community, personnel, and insect health. Various triatomine colonies have been maintained in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Entomology Branch insectary for over 25 years and have more recently been made available to the research community through the Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository (BEI Resources). The CDC Rhodnius prolixus genome has been characterized and thus represents an opportunity for continued model organism research. In addition to fulfilling requests for live triatomines, inquiries are received for support in establishing new and troubleshooting existing laboratory colonies. To accompany the extensive MR4 manual, Methods in Anopheles Research, procedures for triatomine husbandry have been developed and are shared here to address the aforementioned topics.
锥蝽（半翅目：锥蝽科）是吸血昆虫，可将克氏锥虫（恰加斯病的病原体）传播给人类和其他哺乳动物。作为医学上重要的媒介，如 R. prolixus（半翅目：锥蝽科）等物种长期以来一直被用作生理研究的模式生物。为了支持媒介和寄生虫研究，需要对锥蝽进行实验室饲养。从自然栖息地适应人工饲养时，必须考虑许多环境条件，如合适的饲养容器、光源和持续时间、温度、湿度和密度，以创造最佳生长和生存条件。食物来源也是一个重要因素，因为锥蝽被认为是专性吸血动物。寄生虫和病原体不仅对锥蝽构成风险，对处理它们的实验室工作人员也是如此。装备昆虫饲养空间应采用最佳实践，以确保社区、人员和昆虫的健康。各种锥蝽群体在疾病预防控制中心（CDC）昆虫学分部昆虫饲养室中已经维持了 25 多年，最近通过生物防御和新兴感染研究资源库（BEI 资源）向研究界提供。CDC 的 R. prolixus 基因组已经被描述，因此代表了继续进行模式生物研究的机会。除了满足对活锥蝽的需求外，还收到了关于建立新的和解决现有实验室群体问题的支持请求。为了配合广泛的 MR4 手册《按蚊研究方法》，已经制定了锥蝽饲养程序，并在此处共享，以解决上述主题。
