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Journal of Experimental Biology 78,225-232 (1979)
Published by Company of Biologists 1979

The Feeding Response of Rhodnius Prolixus to Blood Fractions, and the Role of ATP

J.B. J. SMITH 1

1 Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S1A1

Second-instar larvae of Rhodnius prolixus will gorge on washed human erythrocytes suspended in Ringer, but not on plasma, either with or without platelets. The ED 50 of erythrocytes is 4.5 vol of packed cells per 1000 vol of Ringer. Erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ are non-stimulatory, whereas the haemolysate induces gorging. Phagostimulation by ‘ghosts’ is restored by resealing them in 1 mM adenosine triphosphate. Evidence is presented that Rhodnius responds to blood via a release of ATP from a few erythrocytes close to the epipharyngeal sense organs.

Submitted on April 25, 1978






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1979