Effect of fluctuating temperature and humidity on the longevity of starved Rhodnius prolixus (Hem., Triatominae)

The survival potential of newly emerged unfed and starved Rhodnius prolixus nymphs was studied under various regimes of fluctuating temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees C and humidities between 43 and 97%. Both temperature and humidity were found to have an impact on survival. With fluctuating conditions at 12/12 h, survival of first instar nymphs was the longest after exposure to lower temperatures and elevated humidities. Longevity diminished with increasing temperatures at lower humidities. At alternating extreme humidity, high 97% and low 43%, nymphs were more sensitive to starvation than after combining extreme humidity 97 or 43% with humidity of 75 or 86%, independent of temperatures. First instar nymphs were more sensitive to starvation, than third and fifth instars.