Behavioural response of Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to quinazolines.

The behavioural responses of the haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans towards some previously identified components of its faeces: 4-methylquinazoline, 2,4- dimethylquinazoline and their mixtures were evaluated using a video tracking system. Fifth instar nymphs and females but not males were significantly attracted to polyethylene glycol formulations of 4-methyl + 2,4-dimethylquinazoline (50 microg each). Fifth instar nymphs were also attracted to 4-methylquinazoline alone (50 microg) but females were only attracted by the mixture of both methyl quinazolines (50 microg each). Syntheses of both methyl quinazolines were carried out starting from 2-aminoacetophenone by modifying the conditions of reported procedures.