iBet uBet web content aggregator. Adding the entire web to your favor.
iBet uBet web content aggregator. Adding the entire web to your favor.



Link to original content: http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26466900/
Diffusion Rates and Dispersal Patterns of Unfed versus Recently Fed Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) - PubMed Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Sep 24;6(4):792-804.
doi: 10.3390/insects6040792.

Diffusion Rates and Dispersal Patterns of Unfed versus Recently Fed Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)

Affiliations

Diffusion Rates and Dispersal Patterns of Unfed versus Recently Fed Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)

Jerome Goddard et al. Insects. .

Abstract

Bed bug problems have been increasing since the 1980s, and accordingly, there have been intensive efforts to better understand their biology and behavior for control purposes. Understanding bed bug diffusion rates and dispersal patterns from one site to another (or lack thereof) is a key component in prevention and control campaigns. This study analyzed diffusion rates and dispersal patterns in a population of bed bugs, recently fed and unfed, in both one-dimensional and two-dimensional settings. When placed in the middle of a 71 cm × 2.7 cm artificial lane, approximately half of the bugs regardless of feeding status stayed at or near the release point during the 10 min observation periods, while about a fourth of them walked to the end of the lane. When placed in the middle of an arena measuring 51 cm × 76 cm and allowed to walk in any direction, approximately one-fourth of bed bugs, fed or unfed, still remained near their release point (no significant difference between fed or unfed). As for long-distance dispersal, 11/50 (22%) of recently fed bed bugs moved as far as possible in the arena during the 10 min replications, while only 2/50 (4%) unfed bed bugs moved to the maximum distance. This difference was significantly different (p < 0.0038), and indicates that unfed bed bugs did not move as far as recently fed ones. A mathematical diffusion model was used to quantify bed bug movements and an estimated diffusion rate range of 0.00006 cm²/s to 0.416 cm²/s was determined, which is almost no movement to a predicted root mean squared distance of approximately 19 cm per 10 min. The results of this study suggest that bed bugs, upon initial introduction into a new area, would have a difficult time traversing long distances when left alone to randomly disperse.

Keywords: aggregation activity; bed bugs; host-seeking; locomotor activity.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
One-dimensional arena set-up. Bed bugs were released inside the marked square.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Two-dimensional arena set-up showing bed bug positions almost immediately after release.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Typical bed bug searching pattern observed within the two-dimensional arena as plotted using time-lapse photography (this was the track of an unfed bug).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean cumulative emigration rates over time (bugs that reached the edge), one-dimensional arena.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Bed bug movements as measured by time-lapse photography. Approximately 25% of bed bugs in the two-dimensional arena (fed or unfed) did not move more than 4 cm from the release point (For example, the white track).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Mean cumulative emigration rates over time (bugs that reached the edge), two-dimensional arena.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Estimated mean diffusion rate through time, fed vs. unfed bed bugs, one-dimensional arena.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Estimated mean diffusion rate through time, fed vs. unfed bed bugs, two-dimensional arena.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Time (h) versus predicted root mean squared distance (m) traversed by an individual bed bug dispersing at the maximum (over all reps) observed diffusion rate of 0.416 cm2/s.

Similar articles

References

    1. Little S.E., West M.D. Home infestation with Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug, affecting both dog and client (Abstract No. 61); Proceedings of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists Annual Meeting; New Orleans, LA, USA. 19–22 July 2008.
    1. Reinhardt K., Siva-Jothy M.T. Biology of the bed bugs. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 2007;52:351–374. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ento.52.040306.133913. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ryckman R.E., Bently D.G., Archbold E.F. The Cimicidae of the Americas and oceanic islands, a checklist and bibliography. Bull. Soc. Vector Ecol. 1981;6:93–142.
    1. Thomas I., Kihiczak G.G., Schwartz R.A. Bedbug bites: A review. Int. J. Dermatol. 2004;43:430–459. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02115.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Potter M.F. The perfect storm: An extension view on bed bugs. Am. Entomol. 2006;52:102–104. doi: 10.1093/ae/52.2.102. - DOI

LinkOut - more resources