The influence of sugars and amino acids on the blood-feeding behaviour, oviposition and longevity of laboratory colony of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae)

Abstract

Schneider's Drosophila medium, a complex amino acid rich medium was tested alone and with seven different sugars for some aspects of the biology of Lutzomyia longipalpis. Statistically significant results were obtained when sucrose was used alone, indicating that among the sugars tested, this is still the most suitable and practical one for the maintenance of L. longipalpis colonies. However, the addition of Schneider's medium to a pool of different sugars, was suggested to be related with the acceptance of the first and second blood meals and to longevity, these being, obviously, quite relevant aspects when tansmission experiments are contemplated.

Keywords

• Lutzomyia longipalpis
• carbohydrates
• amino acids
• honeydew
• biology