Ruan Guimarães dos Santos, PhD student at NUPEM/UFRJ , develops research on the biology and environmental adaptability of blackflies (Simuliidae). His study focuses on establishing a viable method for maintaining the complete life cycle of these insects under laboratory conditions and analyzing how different water flow rates influence their development. This work contributes to understanding the phenotypic plasticity and ecological behavior of species such as Simulium pertinax, S. nigrimanum, and S. subpallidum, which are of medical and veterinary relevance due to their hematophagous habits. The research advances knowledge in entomology and vector biology, offering new perspectives for the study of aquatic insects in controlled environments.
