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Abstract
Ambient temperature (Ta) is a critical abiotic factor for insects that cannot maintain a constant body temperature (Tb). Interestingly, Ta varies during the day, between seasons and habitats; insects must constantly cope with these variations to avoid reaching the deleterious effects of thermal stress. To minimize these risks, insects have evolved a set of physiological and behavioral thermoregulatory processes as well as molecular responses that allow them to survive and perform under various thermal conditions. These strategies range from actively seeking an adequate environment, to cooling down through the evaporation of body fluids and synthesizing heat shock proteins to prevent damage at the cellular level after heat exposure. In contrast, endothermy may allow an insect to fight parasitic infections, fly within a large range of Ta and facilitate nest defense. Since May (1979), Casey (1988) and Heinrich (1993) reviewed the literature on insect thermoregulation, hundreds of scientific articles have been published on the subject and new insights in several insect groups have emerged. In particular, technical advancements have provided a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying thermoregulatory processes. This present Review aims to provide an overview of these findings with a focus on various insect groups, including blood-feeding arthropods, as well as to explore the impact of thermoregulation and heat exposure on insect immunity and pathogen development. Finally, it provides insights into current knowledge gaps in the field and discusses insect thermoregulation in the context of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, The Fralin Life Science Institute, The Global Change Center, Department of Entomology, Center of Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Zacharias CA, Manrique G, Minoli SA. Shelter selection in the kissing bugs Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus: Intra- and inter-specific interactions and quality evaluation. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:76-85. [PMID: 36082811 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Triatomines display most of their activities during the night. Before sunrise, they search, select and occupy adequate shelters to stay during the photophase, avoiding exposure to diurnal predators. In this work, we first explored the interactions between individuals of the same or different species in the shelter selection process of Triatoma infestans (Klug 1834) and Rhodnius prolixus (Stål 1859). When two groups of insects (either of different nutritional status, nymphal instar or species) were released together over an experimental arena containing two identical shelters, all nymphs were distributed randomly, suggesting the absence of intra- and inters-pecific interactions. Secondly, we analysed their preferences for particular features of shelters by releasing one group of insects (either T. infestans or R. prolixus) over an arena containing two different refuges. Nymphs exhibited preferences for darker shelters with a vertical orientation of its substrate and elevated from the ground, highlighting the importance of such features in a shelter selection context. We conclude that these species disregard the presence of other individuals but evaluate certain characteristics of the shelters to choose them. This information may contribute to understanding the colonization/recolonization dynamic processes of these Chagas disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A Zacharias
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Insectos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IBBEA, CONICET-UBA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Manrique
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Insectos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IBBEA, CONICET-UBA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián A Minoli
- Laboratorio de Fisiología de Insectos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IBBEA, CONICET-UBA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rügen N, Jenkins TP, Wielsch N, Vogel H, Hempel BF, Süssmuth RD, Ainsworth S, Cabezas-Cruz A, Vilcinskas A, Tonk M. Hexapod Assassins' Potion: Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris iracundus. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070819. [PMID: 34356883 PMCID: PMC8301361 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Assassin bug venoms are potent and exert diverse biological functions, making them potential biomedical goldmines. Besides feeding functions on arthropods, assassin bugs also use their venom for defense purposes causing localized and systemic reactions in vertebrates. However, assassin bug venoms remain poorly characterized. We collected the venom from the assassin bug Rhynocoris iracundus and investigated its composition and bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. It caused lysis of murine neuroblastoma, hepatoma cells, and healthy murine myoblasts. We demonstrated, for the first time, that assassin bug venom induces neurolysis and suggest that it counteracts paralysis locally via the destruction of neural networks, contributing to tissue digestion. Furthermore, the venom caused paralysis and melanization of Galleria mellonella larvae and pupae, whilst also possessing specific antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, but not Listeria grayi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A combinatorial proteo-transcriptomic approach was performed to identify potential toxins responsible for the observed effects. We identified neurotoxic Ptu1, an inhibitory cystin knot (ICK) toxin homologous to ω-conotoxins from cone snails, cytolytic redulysins homologous to trialysins from hematophagous kissing bugs, and pore-forming hemolysins. Additionally, chitinases and kininogens were found and may be responsible for insecticidal and cytolytic activities. We demonstrate the multifunctionality and complexity of assassin bug venom, which renders its molecular components interesting for potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Rügen
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Benjamin-Florian Hempel
- Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.-F.H.); (R.D.S.)
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies BCRT, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roderich D. Süssmuth
- Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.-F.H.); (R.D.S.)
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (A.V.)
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Miray Tonk
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Verly T, Costa S, Lima N, Mallet J, Odêncio F, Pereira M, Moreira CJDC, Britto C, Pavan MG. Vector competence and feeding-excretion behavior of Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard, 1843) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi TcVI. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008712. [PMID: 32970687 PMCID: PMC7544132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies addressed changes on the insect vector behavior due to parasite infection, but little is known for triatomine bugs, vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. We assessed infection rates and metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi (TcVI) in fifth-instar nymphs of Triatoma rubrovaria comparing with the primary vector Triatoma infestans. Also, biological parameters related to feeding-excretion behavior were evaluated aiming to identify which variables are most influenced by T. cruzi infection. Methodology/principal findings Fifth-instar nymphs of T. rubrovaria and T. infestans were fed on mice infected with T. cruzi (TcVI). We compared the presence and the number of parasite evolutive forms in excreta of both triatomine species at 30, 60 and 90 days post-infection (dpi) with traditional statistical analyses. Moreover, both species were analyzed through generalized linear models and multinomial logistic regression hypotheses for seven behavioral parameters related to host-seeking and feeding-excretion. Triatoma rubrovaria and T. infestans had similar overall infection and metacyclogenesis rates of T. cruzi TcVI in laboratory conditions. Regarding vector behavior, we confirmed that the triatomine’s tendency is to move away from the bite region after a blood meal, probably to avoid being noticed by the vertebrate host. Interspecific differences were observed on the volume of blood ingested and on the proportion of individuals that excreted after the blood meal, revealing the higher feeding efficiency and dejection rates of T. infestans. The amount of ingested blood and the bite behavior of T. rubrovaria seems to be influenced by TcVI infection. Infected specimens tended to ingest ~25% more blood and to bite more the head of the host. Noteworthy, in two occasions, kleptohematophagy and coprophagy behaviors were also observed in T. rubrovaria. Conclusions/significance Laboratory infections revealed similar rate of T. cruzi TcVI trypomatigotes in excreta of T. rubrovaria and T. infestans, one of the most epidemiological important vectors of T. cruzi. Therefore, TcVI DTU was able to complete its life cycle in T. rubrovaria under laboratory conditions, and this infection changed the feeding behavior of T. rubrovaria. Considering these results, T. rubrovaria must be kept under constant entomological surveillance in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Chagas disease is caused by the etiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi and is mainly transmitted through the excreta of triatomine vectors. It is endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting ~8 million people. Control programs are based on the elimination of domestic vectors through insecticide-spraying indoors, since there is no vaccine or efficient treatment for chronic patients. However, this strategy is not sustainable where native triatomine species are capable of colonizing peridomestic structures and reinvading human dwellings. Since the ‘virtual’ elimination of Triatomainfestans in Brazil (residual foci remain in Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia), specimens of the native Triatoma rubrovaria have been constantly collected inside human dwellings and peridomiciliary ecotopes in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, which might represent a real risk for human infections. Here we analyzed a unique and large dataset through classical and modern statistical methods to evaluate T. cruzi infection in T. rubrovaria and to identify host-seeking, and also feeding/excretion behavioral traits that could be influenced by the parasite. Our results indicated that the parasite infection caused changes in T. rubrovaria feeding behavior that could increase T. cruzi TcVI transmission. Moreover, this vector species had similar infection rate to one of the main important Chagas disease vectors in South America, T. infestans. Therefore, T. rubrovaria must be kept under constant entomological surveillance in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaiane Verly
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathanielly Lima
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jacenir Mallet
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Iguaçu - UNIG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francisco Odêncio
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mirian Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Benoit JB, Lazzari CR, Denlinger DL, Lahondère C. Thermoprotective adaptations are critical for arthropods feeding on warm-blooded hosts. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 34:7-11. [PMID: 31247421 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Blood feeding in arthropods has evolved in multiple lineages. This feeding preference provides a source of ample proteins and lipids for egg production and survival, but ingestion of a large warm blood-meal can boost the arthropod's body temperature 15°-20°C within seconds to minutes. This represents one of, if not the most, rapid thermal change documented under a natural setting. Here, we describe mechanisms of thermoregulation and thermotolerance in arthropods during blood feeding. The ability to prevent blood-induced thermal damage is a fundamental physiological adaptation linked to the use of warm-blooded vertebrates as food sources. Specific functional and comparative studies have identified unique and divergent mechanisms that suppress or repair thermal stress during blood feeding. These mechanisms include countercurrent heat exchange, evaporative cooling, and upregulation of stress associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Claudio R Lazzari
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, UMR CNRS 7261, Université de Tours, France
| | - David L Denlinger
- Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chloé Lahondère
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Erazo D, Gottdenker NL, González C, Guhl F, Cuellar M, Kieran TJ, Glenn TC, Umaña JD, Cordovez J. Generalist host species drive Trypanosoma cruzi vector infection in oil palm plantations in the Orinoco region, Colombia. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:274. [PMID: 31138275 PMCID: PMC6540391 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oil palm plantation establishment in Colombia has the potential to impact Chagas disease transmission by increasing the distribution range of Rhodnius prolixus. In fact, previous studies have reported Trypanosoma cruzi natural infection in R. prolixus captured in oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) in the Orinoco region, Colombia. The aim of this study is to understand T. cruzi infection in vectors in oil palm plantations relative to community composition and host dietary specialization by analyzing vector blood meals and comparing these results to vectors captured in a native palm tree species, Attalea butyracea. METHODS Rhodnius prolixus nymphs (n = 316) were collected from A. butyracea and E. guineensis palms in Tauramena, Casanare, Colombia. Vector blood meals from these nymphs were determined by amplifying and sequencing a vertebrate-specific 12S rRNA gene fragment. RESULTS Eighteen vertebrate species were identified and pigs (Sus scrofa) made up the highest proportion of blood meals in both habitats, followed by house mouse (Mus musculus) and opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). Individual bugs feeding only from generalist mammal species had the highest predicted vector infection rate, suggesting that generalist mammalian species are more competent hosts for T. cruzi infection . CONCLUSIONS Oil palm plantations and A. butyracea palms found in altered areas provide a similar quality habitat for R. prolixus populations in terms of blood meal availability. Both habitats showed similarities in vector infection rate and potential host species, representing a single T. cruzi transmission scenario at the introduced oil palm plantation and native Attalea palm interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Erazo
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Matemática y Computacional (BIOMAC), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Nicole L. Gottdenker
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Monica Cuellar
- Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería Biomédica (GIB), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Troy J. Kieran
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
| | - Travis C. Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA
| | - Juan D. Umaña
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Matemática y Computacional (BIOMAC), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Juan Cordovez
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología Matemática y Computacional (BIOMAC), Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
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El Husseiny I, Elbrense H, Roeder T, El Kholy S. Hormonal modulation of cannibalistic behaviors in mosquito (Culex pipiens) larvae. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 109:144-148. [PMID: 30077702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cannibalism has been observed occasionally in a limited number of different animal species, but the underlying mechanisms that foster this behavior are mostly unknown. Here we show that mosquito (Culex pipiens) larvae show this behavior towards conspecifics under certain conditions. Cannibalism was only observed in 4th instar larvae and only in response to starvation. Well fed animals never showed any cannibalistic behavior. Starvation induced cannibalism of Culex 4th instar was predominantly directed towards 3rd instars rather than to 1st or 2nd instar larvae. Specific mandibular structures of these larvae enable this cannibalistic behavior. We could show that treatment with the biogenic amine octopamine, which is known to be involved in the control of starvation and aggression, increased the rate of cannibalism of food-deprived 4th instar larvae significantly. Incubation with the octopamine receptor antagonist phentolamine suppressed this cannibalistic behavior. Moreover, octopamine not only increased the rate of cannibalism, it also induced a shift towards smaller prey. A role of octopamine in this starvation induced behavior was further supported by direct measurements of the total content of this important neuroactive compound. Taken together, we could show that 4th instar mosquito larvae showed cannibalistic behavior after starvation and that this behavior apparently depends on octopamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman El Husseiny
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Hanaa Elbrense
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Thomas Roeder
- Kiel University, Zoological Institute, Dept. Molecular Physiology, Kiel, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Germany.
| | - Samar El Kholy
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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