Development and population parameters of cohorts of the chilean recluse spider Loxosceles laeta Desarrollo de cohortes y parámetros poblacionales de la araña del rincón Loxosceles laeta

Abstract

© 2014 Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia. All rights reserved.Background: Despite the abundant eco-epidemiological knowledge of the Chilean reclusive spider, Loxosceles laeta, which causes all forms of loxoscelism in Chile, the main characteristics of this species its stages of development remains poorly known especially in the medical area. Objective: In this study we address these issues with the goal of providing clear images of the development of this species and for the first time on population projections as well as the relationship between mature and immature instars, useful data for the control and prevention of accidental bites. Results: We found that L. laeta is an r-selected species, with R0= 2.1, a generation time of G = 2.1 years, with a concentration of the reproductive value of females between the first and second year of life. We determined the average sizes and development times of all instars. The first vary between 2.3 mm at birth and about 13 mm at adulthood. The tot