A statistical evaluation of the population dynamics of Panstrongylus
geniculatus is based on a cohort experiment conducted under controlled
laboratory conditions. Animals were fed on hen every 15 days. Egg
incubation took 21 days; mean duration of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th
instar nymphs was 25, 30, 58, 62, and 67 days, respectively; mean nymphal
development time was 39 weeks and adult longevity was 72 weeks. Females
reproduced during 30 weeks, producing an average of 61.6 eggs for female on
its lifetime; the average number of eggs/female/week was 2.1. Total number
of eggs produced by the cohort was 1379. Average hatch for the cohort was
88.9%; it was not affected by age of the mother. Age specific survival and
reproduction tables were constructed. The following population parameters
were evaluated, generation time was 36.1 weeks; net reproduction rate was
89.4; intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.125; instantaneous birth and
death rates were 0.163 and 0.039 respectively; finite rate of increase was
1.13; total reproductive value was 1196 and stable age distribution was
31.2% eggs, 64.7% nymphs and 4.1% adults. Finally the population
characteristics of P. geniculatus lead to the conclusion that this species
is a K strategist.
