Aislamiento reproductivo postcigótico entre Rhodnius prolixus Stal 1859 y R. robustus Larrousse 1927 (Heteroptera, Triatominae)

in this work we present new data, gathered under laboratory conditions, on taxonomic status of rhodnius prolixus and r. robustus. morphological analysis and reproductive studies were performed through controlled interbreeding experiments between r. prolixus and r. robustus. morphological variability based on postocular callosities, setae on the first and second antennal segments, and presence of spine-likes on the tarsal first segment of r. prolixus and r. robustus instars was found. hatching of eggs from the crosses between males of r. robustus and females of r. prolixus was not observed. fertility, embrionary development time, preoviposition time and i, ii and iii instars survival were statistically different between controls and descendants from r. robustus and r. prolixus. we have found evidence that could support a postcigotic isolation mechanism between these two species