INFLUENCE OF MATING ON OVARIAN FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT IN TRIATOMA-INFESTANS (KLUG, 1834)

This work examines the influence of mating on ovarian follicle development in Triatoma infestans. The observations were carried out on both virgin and mated females, which were killed at various times after their emergence. There was no difference in the ovarian development of both experimental groups during the first gonadotrofic cycle. By the 7th day mated females as well as virgin females showed vitellogenic oocytes. The coriogenesis and ovulation process began on the 13th day after imaginal moulting. However we could observe that egg-laying was dependent on mating. Mated females laid eggs whereas virgin females did not lay eggs. However ovarian production was significantly greater in the mated females. It is suggested that in T. infestans mating stimulates egg-laying but it does not influence the oogenesis and ovulation process.