Embryonic Development of the Kissing Bug Rhodnius prolixus

The dissemination of neglected tropical diseases that is performed by insect vectors is highly dependent on processes that take place during embryogenesis, herein defined as the process from egg deposition until hatching. To efficiently maintain the next generation of infective animals, eggs that are laid by the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus contain all of the molecular information that is required for embryonic development. Several morphogenetic processes take place during this time, after which a miniature of the adult emerges from the egg. Here, we present the current knowledge on the embryonic development of R. prolixus. Firstly, we present a historical overview of R. prolixus embryology from the earliest studies in the first half of the twentieth century to present. Then, we discuss how recent advances in functional genomics might foster new discoveries related to the molecular control of R. prolixus embryology and its interface with vector population control.