Abstract
THE rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, is entirely dependent for its own reproduction on its host becoming pregnant; it has been postulated that a factor, required by the flea for ovarian development, is only present during the last week of host pregnancy1,2. It has also been shown that the corticosteroids and oestradiol stimulate maturation of the ovaries and accelerate the rate of defecation3. These findings suggested the possibility that reproductivity might be increased in blood sucking insects, such as tsetse flies, if the females were fed on pregnant hosts.
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References
Mead-Briggs, A. R., and Rudge, A. J. B., Nature, 187, 1136 (1960).
Mead-Briggs, A. R., J. Exp. Biol., 41, 371 (1964).
Rothschild, M., Endeavour, 24, No. 93, 162 (1965).
Nash, T. A. M., Kernaghan, R. J., and Boyle, J. A., Ann. Trop. Med. Parasit., 60, 39 (1966).
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NASH, T., JORDAN, A. & BOYLE, J. Effect of Host Pregnancy on Pupal Production by the Tsetse Fly. Nature 212, 1581–1582 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2121581b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2121581b0
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