A Practical Apparatus for Feeding Artificial Diets to All Stages ofRhodnius prolixusStål

Abstract

Before atten~pting to determine the nutritional requirements of Rhodnius prelixus Stål, a blood-feeding reduviid bug, it was necessary to build a feeding apparatus that would permit the insects to feed normally on various artificial diets. Since it was expected that large numbers of animals would have to be fed individually, practical considerations demanded that the feeding apparatus be easy to service and maintain. Some of the experimental diets would be extremely expensive and radioactive and consequently an apparatus that would permit the use of small volumes of diet was required.