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Feeding mechanism of Haematopinus suis, on the transilluminated mouse ear

1967; Elsevier BV; Volume: 20; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0014-4894(67)90053-7

1090-2449

M. M. J. Lavoipierre,

Vector-borne infectious diseases

A method for direct observations on the feeding mechanism of the anopluran, Haematopinus suis, the sucking louse of the domestic pig, is described. By transilluminating the ear of the laboratory white mouse, the movement of the insect's mouth parts were followed throughout the feeding process. Entry of the haustellum into the mouse's skin was effected by means of the buccal teeth, which became fully everted after the process of penetration of the proboscis into the host's tissues was completed. The everted buccal teeth, acting together, served as an anchor for the haustellum. Eversion of the teeth was followed immediately by the protrusion of the stylets from their haustellar sheath. The stylet bundle (or biting fascicle) was highly flexible and driven in different directions until a suitable blood vessel was located. The tip of the fascicle then entered the vessel lumen, and the feeding was begun. Haematopinus suis is a vessel feeder (solenophage) and on no occasion during the present study was it ever observed to feed from a blood pool.