Mepraia spinolai in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean Coast (Chile) - First insular record and feeding pattern on the Pan de Azúcar Island

Abstract

In a field collection performed at Pan de Azúcar Island in Northern Chile, 95 specimens representing all instars of Mepraia spinolai were collected. The intestinal contents of 55 specimens were examined for Trypanosoma cruzi infection and were found to be negative. This is the first record of an insular habitat for M. spinolai, where the insects had fed mainly on seabirds (78%), some on marine mammals (5%), and some on reptiles (7%).

Keywords

• Mepraia spinolai
• insular habitat
• blood meal
• Chile