Growth of an Insect Trypanosomatid at 37 C in a Defined Medium*

SYNOPSIS. A defined medium for an insect trypanosomatid, “Leptomonas pessoai” (probably a member of the genus Herpetomonas) isolated from the reduviid Zelus leucogrammus, allows growth up to 37 C. No marked differences were evident for growth at 37 C. The requirements for amino acids, vitamins, purine, and hemin, and pH range were like those established for Crithidia fasciculata. Again like C. fasciculata, it remains alive at 4 C for at least 3 months in a çlycerolated defined medium.