Data on survival and molting incidence of Triatoma infestans (Klug) and Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) after blood intake from anaesthetized chickens

Avian blood intake for these insects in research facilities has been a recommendation to avoid Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Currently, the protocols for these insects’ rearing in research facilities demand that the chicken – source of blood intake – be anaesthetized by an accredited veterinary and that the welfare of the birds be monitored before, during and after the blood intake the insects receive.

These protocols are conducted to ensure that the birds do not suffer from unwarranted pain or distress. Data on survival and molting incidence are presented for specimens of T. infestans and P. megistus fed on blood from chickens anaesthetized with ketamine/xylazine consistent with the recommendation by ethical committees on animal experimentation. These data constitute an important basis for comparisons with data provided by insects that ingested blood from non-anaesthetized sources or from animals anaesthetized with drugs other than ketamine/xylazine, preceding various experimental conditions.