Purinoceptors in blood feeding behaviour in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans

Abstract Both sexes of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), have receptors on their mouthparts that mediate blood feeding. The potency ranking of the adenine nucleotides (ATP > ADP > AMP > adenosine) in eliciting feeding and suppressing the NaCl-sensitive cell may indicate the involvement of a P₂-type receptor. This is supported by the lack of effect on feeding by methyl xanthines. Feeding-related behavioural and electrophysiological results demonstrate that the potency of CH₃-S-ATP is not greater than that of ATP. These ATP-mediated responses are antagonized by ANAPP₃. Results support the conclusion that the putative 'ATP receptor' involved in stable fly phagostimulation resembles the P_2x purinoceptor of vertebrates.