Laboratory Repellent Tests Against Rhodnius Prolixus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)1

An evaluation of standard and experimental repellents was made against the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus using dose-response methods. The most potent compounds tested against this species, in decreasing order of effectiveness, were permethrin, RH-398, deet, and AI3–35765. Permethrin demonstrated significantly greater potency (P < 0.05) than all other compounds tested. Dimethyl phthalate, ethyl hexanediol, Indalone, Stabilene, MGK repellent II, MGK repellent 326, Citronyl, and 8 experimental compounds were ineffective against this species. The comparative sensitivity of R. prolixus to repellents is less than other mosquito, chigger mite, and sand fly species tested at this laboratory.