Pepstatin added to the blood meal of Rhodnius prolixus inhibited protein digestion in the midgut. This inhibition significantly reduced molting in all nymphal instars and retarded oogenesis in adults. Juvenile hormone analogue applied a day after feeding pepstatin did not promote oogenesis. Ecdysterone, however, applied after pepstatin potency had diminished 20 days after feeding, caused normal molting. These findings indicate that normal ecdysis and egg production in this hematophagous insect may depend on the availability of digested protein, as well as the presence of juvenile and molting hormone.
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Garcia et al. (1981) studied this question.