Source: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY submitted to
BED BUG BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0215251
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2008
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Project Director
Haynes, K.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL
LEXINGTON,KY 40526-0001
Performing Department
Entomology
Non Technical Summary
Bed bugs have a severe impact on the quality of life. This impact extends from rural communities to cities. Management of bed bug infestations is not simple, and is exacerbated by the limited availability and efficacy of insecticides. An understanding of behavior and biology of bed bugs will contribute to our potential to control bed bugs. By understanding how heat and CO2 serve as stimuli to attract bugs, we may be able to develop new methods of bed bug detection. The microorganisms that may be involved in digestion of blood are a potential new target for bed bug control. An understanding of sublethal effects of insecticides will allow for their prudent use, including information on where insecticides should be applied, which stages are affected and whether avoidance of insecticides will scatter bed bugs to adjacent rooms.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
72131101130100%
Knowledge Area
721 - Insects and Other Pests Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
Objective 1. We will investigate the interplay of stimuli and the behavioral mechanisms involved in host finding in the bed bug (to be completed in the first year). Objective 2.We will initiate experiments to determine the role of endosymbionts in digestion of blood and production of eggs (continues throughout project). Objective 3.We will determine the sublethal effects of commonly used insecticides on bed bug behavior (continues throughout project).
Project Methods
Objective 1. Experiment 1.The objective of this experiment is to determine the impact of temperature on bed bug orientation. An aluminum cylinder (2.6 cm diam by 3 cm), containing a porcelain heater will be placed at the center of one wall of a test arena. The temperature of the aluminum cylinder will be adjusted to one of six temperatures: 25 (ambient), 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 degrees C. Twenty unmated bed bugs per treatment will be evaluated, 10 male and 10 female. The movements of the bed bug will be recorded for five minutes or until the insect touches the heat source. Experiment 2: The objective of this experiment is to determine the impact of elevated CO2 levels on bed bug orientation. The CO2 level will be monitored by a CO2 meter and the valves will be adjusted to reach the desired level of CO2 for testing. CO2 levels of 400 (ambient) 800, 1600, 3200, 5000 ppm will be tested. Experiment 3: The objective of this experiment is to determine if there is a synergistic interaction or additive effects of a combination of CO2 and temperature on source finding. Objective 2. We will initiate experiments to determine the role of endosymbionts in digestion of blood and production of eggs. Experiment 1. In this experiment we will test the hypothesis that tetracycline affects the abundance of endosymbiotic bacteria in the mycetomes. Experiment 2. Here we will determine if ability of a tetracycline-fed female bed bug to produce eggs can be restored by mating with an untreated male. Experiment 3. Here we will test the hypothesis that tetracycline will interfere with development of bed bug nymphs. Experiment 4. Our hypothesis is that interactions between untreated mothers and treated nymphs can restore the ability to tetracycline-treated nymphs to develop. Objective 3. Experiment 1. The LD50 (dose that results in 50% mortality) and SLD (defined here as a dose that results in less than 5% mortality) will be determined from results of probit analysis of response-dose curves from three bed bug strains. Experiment 2. We will challenge the hypothesis that egg-laying will be reduced at the established SLD. Experiment 3. Our hypotheis is that host-finding will be reduced at a SLD. Experiment 4. We will evaluate sublethal effects of insecticides on harborage-seeking by adult female bed bugs.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The audience for this research includes researchers at other institutions, the chemical industry, pest management professionals, and the public. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three graduate students have participated in this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Peer reviewed publications, trade journal articles, presentations at meetings What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? . Ten field populations of bed bugs varied in their senstivity toTemprid and Transport, both are products containing a neonicotinoid and a pyrethroid. Temprid selection on three populations of bed bugs resulted in significant decreases in susceptibility to this insecticide in the subsequent generation. This selection also resulted in an increase in resistance levels to Transport. Silica gel is an effective desiccant dust. Brief exposure of bed bugs to the label rate of this dust resulted in high mortality 24 h after exposure. A survey of the pest control industry indicated a continuing need for innovations in pest management options for bed bug control. Bed bugs are consistently rated as the most difficult urban insect pest to manage. Over the course of this project we made the following findings: 1. Pyrethroid resistance is widespread; 2. Pyrethroid resistance is mediated by diverse mechanisms in different populations; 3. Phantom is a slow, but effective insecticide; 4. Harborage-seeking and host-finding behaviors are not interrupted by the presence of deltamethrin or chlorfenapyr; 4. Nightly cycles of activity in bed bugs are mediated by a circadian rhythm; 5. The sensitivity of humans to bed bug bites varies considerably; 6. P450 enzymes are involved in pyrethroid resistance. 7. The growth regulator, Gentrol, is only effective in disrupting reproduction at exposure rates above the label rate; and 8. The hooked trichomes of kidney bean plants are a model for the development of traps that could be useful in monitoring;

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Liu, F., K. F. Haynes, A. G. Appel, and N. Liu. 2014. Antennal olfactory sensilla responses to insect chemical repellents in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius. Journal of Chemical Ecology: 40(6): 522-533
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gago, R., J. D. Allison, J. S. McElfresh, K. F. Haynes, J. McKenney, A. Guerrero, and J. G. Millar. 2013. A tetraene aldehyde as the major sex pheromone component of the promethea moth (Callosamia promethea (Drury)). Journal of Chemical Ecology 39: 1263-1272.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gordon JR, Potter MF, Goodman MH. 2014. Population variation in and selection for resistance to Pyrethroid-Neonicotinoid insecticides in the bed bug. Scientific Reports. 4. DOI: 10.1038/srep03836
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Potter, M.F., K.F. Haynes, J.R. Gordon, L. Washburn, M. Washburn, and T. Hardin. 2014. Silica gel: a better bed bug desiccant. Pest Control Technol. 42(8): 76-81, 84.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Potter, M.F. and K.F. Haynes. 2014. Bed bug nation: is the United States making any progress? Proc. Intl Conf. Urban Pests. Zurich, Switz. 51-58
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Potter MF, Haynes KF, Fredericks J, Henriksen M. 2013. Bed bug nation: Are we making any progress. Pest World (September, October) 4-Potter MF, Haynes KF, Christensen C, Neary TJ, Turner C, Washburn L, and Washburn M. 2013. Where do bed bugs stand when the dust settles? Pest Control Technology 41 (12): 72-74,76-78, 80.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gordon, J. R., M. H. Goodman, M. F. Potter, and K. F. Haynes. 2014. Trouble brewing for insecticides? Pest Control Technology 42(6): 72...80.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Scientists, Pest management professionals, the Public Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Publications, presentations, seminars What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Pyrethroid resistance in bed bugs,Cimex lectularius, has prompted a change to combination products thatinclude a pyrethroid and a neonicotinoid. Ten populations of bed bugs were challenged with two combination products (Temprid SC®and Transport GHP®). Susceptibility of these populations varied, with the correlated response of the two products indicating cross resistance. We imposed selection on three populations using label rate Temprid, and then reared progeny from unselected and selected strains. All selected strains were significantly less susceptible to Temprid SC than unselected strains. Temprid selected strains were also less susceptible to Transport. The pyrethroid component of Temprid showed a significantly higher LD50in selected strains, but susceptibility to the neonicotinoid remained unchanged. Taken together these results indicate resistance to combination insecticides is present in field populations at levels that should be of concern, and that short-term selection affecting existing variance in susceptibility can quickly increase resistance.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gago, R., J. D. Allison, J. S. McElfresh, K. F. Haynes, J. McKenney, A. Guerrero, and J. G. Millar. 2013. A Tetraene aldehyde as the major sex pheromone component of the Promethea moth (Callosamia promethea (Drury)). Journal of Chemical Ecology 39: 1263-1272
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Goodman, M. H., M. F. Potter, and K. F. Haynes. 2013. Effects of juvenile hormone analog formulations on development and reproduction in the bed bug Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Pest Manag. Sci. 69: 240-244.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Szyndler, M. W., K. F. Haynes, M. F. Potter, R. M. Corn, and C. Loudon. 2013. Entrapment of bed bugs by leaf trichomes inspires microfabrication of biomimetic surfaces. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 10.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Welch, K. D., K. F. Haynes, and J. D. Harwood. 2013. Prey-specific foraging tactics in a web-building spider. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 15: 375-381.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Welch, K. D., K. F. Haynes, and J. D. Harwood. 2013. Microhabitat evaluation and utilization by a foraging predator. Animal Behaviour 85: 419-425.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Potter, M. F., K. F. Haynes, J. Gordon, E. Hardebeck, and E. Arnold. 2013. Holy cow... bat bugs and bird bugs! Pest Control Technology 41: 72-77.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhu, F., H. Gujar, J. R. Gordon, K. F. Haynes, M. F. Potter, and S. R. Palli. 2013. Bed bugs evolved unique adaptive strategy to resist pyrethroid insecticides. Scientific Reports 3.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Sun, Q., K. F. Haynes, and X. G. Zhou. 2013. Differential undertaking response of a lower termite to congeneric and conspecific corpses. Scientific Reports 3.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Potter, M.F., K. F. Haynes, C. Christensen, T.J. Neary, C. Turner, L. Washburn and M. Washburn. 2013. Diatomaceous earth: Where do bed bugs stand when the dust settles? Pest Control Technology 41: 72-80.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Potter, M.F. K.F. Haynes, J.Fredericks, and M. Henriksen. 2013. Bed bug nation: are we making any progress. September/October: 5-11.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Bed bugs have a severe impact on the quality of life that is exacerbated by the difficulty that is faced in eliminating their populations. Part of this difficulty is a result of their stealthy feeding habits, where they remain hidden from view except during brief excursions to get a blood meal. We have found that immature bed bugs are more efficient in finding food when their mothers are present. The communication mechanism for this maternal care is under investigation. This facilitation of host finding is likely to play an important role in enabling very small immature bed bugs to develop when to blood meal is located at a distance. It is difficult for pest control operators to deliver insecticides to hiding places. We have found widespread resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, which has prompted switches to insecticides with different modes of action. Pyrethroid and neonicitinoid combination products proved to have laboratory efficacy against pyrethroid resistant populations. However, selection for resistance to a dual action insecticide resulted in a change in susceptibility within one generation in two populations of bed bugs. This evolution involves multiple mechanisms of resistance, including up-regulation of cuticular proteins, P450 enzymes, carboxyl esterases, and transporter proteins. A growth regulating hormone analog (Gentrol) was found to be effective in curtailing bed bug reproduction only at very high application rates. Thus this environmentally benign insecticide is not a standalone product for bed bug control. PARTICIPANTS: Michael F. Potter, Scottt Bessin, Jennifer Gordon, Mark Goodman ,Kyle Loughlin, Shelby Stamper, Sydney Crawley TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Because insecticide resistance to combination products (neonicitinoid with pyrethroid) occurs in the laboratory, it should be a concern for the future of bed bug pest management. Gentrol is not a standalone product at label rates.

Publications

  • Haynes, K.F. 2012. Sleeping with the enemy (bed bugs). Scientific American. 306(2): 50-55.
  • Haynes, K.F. and Potter M.F. 2012. Recent progress in bed bug management. pp 269--278 In: Advanced Technologies for Controlling Insect Pests (editors Isaac Ishayaya. Reddy Palli, A. Rami Horowitz) Springer.
  • Potter, M.F. Haynes, K.F., Gordon, JR, Hardebeck, E. Wickenmeyer, W. 2012. Dual-action bed bug killers. Pest Control Technology 40(3):61-68, 75-76.
  • Goodman, M.H., M.F. Potter, and K.F. Haynes. 2012. Shedding light on IGRs and bed bugs. Pest Control Technology 40(8): 38, 40-42, 44-46.
  • Goodman, M.H., M.F. Potter and K.F. Haynes. 2012. Effects of juvenile hormone analog formulations on development and reproduction in the bed bug Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Pest Management Science. DOI 10.1002/ps.3376
  • Zhu, F. Sams, S. Haynes, K.F., Potter, M.F., Palli, S.R. 2012,. Molecular analysis of NADPH-Cytochrome P450 reductase in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) PlosOne. 7(2): e31037


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We continued our investigation of the role of bacterial endosymbionts in bed bug biology. Near elimination of Wolbachia did not have a major impact on bed bug reproduction. We began a laboratory investigation of the potential for evolution of resistance to combination insecticides (including a pyrethroid and a neonicotinoid) for bed bug control. We observed a response to selection in one generation, indicating that there is heritable variation in our laboratory colonies with respect to the impact of these insecticides. We began a study of the impact of insect repellents on bed bug behavior. Some of the commercially available products showed promise in preventing bed bugs from seeking refuge on treated surfaces. We investigated the impact of one insect growth regulator on bed bug development and reproduction. Gentrol showed marked effects on reproduction, but only at high application rates (above the label rate). PARTICIPANTS: Michael F. Potter, Scottt Bessin,Jennifer Gordon, Mark Goodman,Kyle Loughlin, Shelby Stamper TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Because pest management professionals have few insecticidal options, they must be cognizant of the potential for resistance to combination products that have thus far proven to be efficacious.

Publications

  • Potter, M.F. Haynes, K.F., Rosenberg, B., Henriksen, M. 2011. Bed bugs without borders: Defining the global resurgence. PestWorld. November/December 4-17.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Infestations of the bed bug are increasing around the world at an alarming rate and have become a major public health concern. Because resistance to pyrethroid insecticides is widespread in the U.S. there is a great demand for novel approaches for pest control, and a renewed effort to learn characteristics of bed bug behavior. Bed bugs must avoid detection when finding hosts and returning to hidden harborages. Their stealthy habits include foraging when hosts are asleep. Characteristics of locomotor activity rhythm of bed bugs with different feeding history were studied. In the absence of host stimuli, adults and nymphs were much more active in the dark than in the light. The onset of activity in the scotophase commenced soon after lights-off. The free-running period for all stages was longer in continuous darkness (DD) than in continuous light (LL). The lengthening of the free-running period in DD is an exception for the circadian rule that predicts the opposite in nocturnal animals. Activity in adults and nymphs was entrained to reverse L:D regimes within four cycles. Short-term starved adults moved more frequently than recently fed adults. While bed bugs can survive for a year or more without a blood meal, we observed a reduction in activity in insects held for five-weeks without food. We suggest that bed bugs make a transition to host-stimulus dependent searching when host presence is not predictable. Such a strategy would enable bed bugs to maximize reproduction when resources are abundant and save energy when resources are scarce. The presence of bed bug populations resistant to pyrethroids demands the development of new control tactics, including the use of insecticides with new modes of action. Insecticides that disrupt oxidative phosphorylation in insects' mitochondria can be an option. We measured with laboratory assays the toxicity of chlorfenapyr to susceptible strains and two strains highly resistant to pyrethroids. We also compared the effectiveness of two chlorfenapyr-based formulations and evaluated the behavioral responses of bed bugs to dry residues of aerosol sprays. Chlorfenapyr was effective against all bed bug strains, killing them at a similar rate, regardless of their susceptibility status to pyrethroids. Dry residues aged for four months were as toxic as fresh dry residues. The aerosol formulation had contact activity and caused a faster mortality than a water-based formulation. Bed bugs did not avoid resting on surfaces treated with aerosol. Chlorfenapyr is an option for controlling pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs. While it does not cause quick knockdown, long residual activity and no avoidance behavior of bed bugs to dry residues appears to make this insecticide suitable for bed bug control. A faster insecticidal effect is obtained with the aerosol formulation, suggesting greater bioavailablity of the toxicant. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Chlorfenapyr has become an increasingly important option in bed bug control programs.

Publications

  • Sloggett, J.J., Haynes, K.F., Obrycki, J.J., Davis, A.J. 2010. Harmonia axyridis as a model for predator adaptation to chemically defended prey. In: Roy, H.E. & Babendreier, D. (eds.) Benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents. IOBC.
  • Potter, M.F. Haynes, K.F., Connelly, K, Deutsch, M., Hardebeck, E., Partin, D. Harrison, R. 2010. The sensitivity spectrum: human reactions to bed bug bites. Pest Control Tech. 38(2): 70-74, 100.
  • Potter, M. F., Haynes, K.F., Goodman, M., Stamper, S., and Sams, S. 2010. Bed bugs: a blast from the past. Pest Management Professional 78(3): 46-52.
  • Haynes K, Goodman M, Potter M. 2010. Bed bug deterrence. BMC Biology 8(1):117.
  • Moser, S. Haynes, K .F. and Obrycki, J. J. 2010. Behavioral response to larval tracks and the influence of tracks on intraguild predation by coccinellid larvae. Journal of Insect Behavior. 23:45-58.
  • Zhu, F., Wigginton,J., Romero, A. , Moore, A., Ferguson, K., Palli,.R,. Potter, M.F. Haynes, K.F. Palli, S.R. (2010). Widespread distribution of knockdwon resistance mutations in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), populations in the United States. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology. 73:247-257.
  • Kajita Y, Obrycki J, Sloggett J, Haynes K.F. 2010 Intraspecific alkaloid variation in ladybird eggs and its effects on con- and hetero-specific intraguild predators. Oecologia 163: 313-322.
  • Swartzberg, E.G., Haynes K.F. Johnson D. W., and Brown, G. C. 2010. Wax structures of the ladybird beetle Scymnus louisianae attenuate aggression from aphid-tending ants. Environmental Entomology. 39: 1309-1314.
  • Romero, A. Potter, M.F. and Haynes, K.F. 2010. Circadian rhythm of spontaneous locomotor activity in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. Journal of Insect Physiology. 56:1516-1522
  • Romero, A. Potter, M.F. and Haynes, K.F. 2010. Evaluation of chlorfenapyr for control of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., Pest Management Science. 66: 1243-1248.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Infestations of the bed bug are increasing around the world at an alarming rate and have become a major public health concern. Because resistance to pyrethroid insecticides is widespread in the U.S. there is a great demand for novel approaches for pest control. An understanding of the mechanisms of insecticide resistance in the bed bug has the potential to lead to new approaches for the control of resistant populations. We used the P450 enzyme inhibitor piperonyl butoxide (PBO) to determine the role of detoxifying enzymes in deltamethrin resistance in three field-collected strains. We found that while PBO reduced the lethal dose required to kill 50% of each strain, residual resistance compared to a susceptible strain remained. The behavioral responses of bed bugs to deltamethrin (a pyrethroid), and chlorfenapyr (a pyrrole), two commonly used insecticides for bed bug control in the US were evaluated. In two-choice tests, grouped insects and individual insects avoided resting on filter paper treated with deltamethrin. Insects did not avoid surfaces treated with chlorfenapyr. Harborages, containing feces and eggs, and treated with a deltamethrin-based product, remained attractive to individuals from a strain resistant to pyrethroids. Insecticide barriers of chlorfenapyr or deltamethrin did not prevent bed bugs from reaching a warmed blood source and acquiring blood meals. We tested five different dusts representing two insecticide categories: two pyrethroid-based dusts, and three desiccant dusts. Both types were effective in killing bed bugs, even from a resistant strain. PARTICIPANTS: Michael Potter (Extension Faculty) and Alvaro Romero (graduate student) contributed to this research. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Synergists such as piperonyl butoxide, insecticides with novel modes of action such as chlorfenapyr, and dusts have the potential to contribute to management of pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs.

Publications

  • Domingue, M. J., Haynes, K. F., Todd, J. L. and Baker, T. C. 2009. Altered olfactory receptor neuron responsiveness is correlated with a shift in behavioral response in an evolved colony of the cabbage looper moth. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 35:405-415.
  • Mas, F., Haynes, K. F. and Kolliker, M. 2009. A chemical signal of offspring quality affects maternal care in a social insect. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 276: 2847-2853
  • Romero, A. Potter, M. F., and Haynes, K. F. 2009. Are dusts the magic bed bug bullet Pest Management Professional. 77(5): 22,23,26,28,30.
  • Romero, A., Potter, M. F., and Haynes, K. F. 2009. Behavioral responses of the bed bug to insecticide residues. Journal Medical Entomology. 46: 51-57
  • Romero, A., Potter, M. F., and Haynes, K. F. 2009. Evaluation of Piperonyl Butoxide as a Deltamethrin Synergist for Pyrethroid-Resistant Bed Bugs. Journal of Medical Entomology. 102: 2310--2315.
  • Sloggett, J. J., Haynes, K. F. and Obrycki, J. J. 2009. Hidden costs to an invasive intraguild predator from chemically defended native prey. Oikos. 118: 1396-1404.
  • Sloggett, J. J., Obrycki, J.J., and Haynes, K. F. 2009. Identification and quantification of predation: novel use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of prey alkaloid markers. Functional Ecology. 23: 416-426.


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The recent resurgence of bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), has increased the demand for information about effective control tactics. Several studies have focused on determining the susceptibility of bed bug populations to insecticides. However, behavioral responses of bed bugs to insecticide residues could influence their efficacy. The behavioral responses of bed bugs to deltamethrin, and chlorfenapyr, two commonly used insecticides for bed bug control in the US were evaluated. In two-choice tests, grouped insects and individual insects avoided resting on filter paper treated with deltamethrin. Insects did not avoid surfaces treated with chlorfenapyr. Harborages, containing feces and eggs, and treated with a deltamethrin-based product, remained attractive to individuals from a strain resistant to pyrethroids. Video recordings of bed bugs indicated that insects increased activity when they contacted sublethal doses of deltamethrin. Insecticide barriers of chlorfenapyr or deltamethrin did not prevent bed bugs from reaching a warmed blood source and acquiring blood meals. PARTICIPANTS: Michael Potter was a collaborator on this research. Alvaro Romero and Rebekah Hassell are conducting graduate studies that relate to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Survival of bed bugs after their contact with pyrethoid residues, with the subsequent increase in locomotor activity, represents a potential problem for the spread of bed bugs to adjoining areas. This concern may be alleviated by bed bug produced aggregation factors that overcome this irritancy/repellency.

Publications

  • Potter, M. F., Haynes, K.F., Romero, A., Hardebeck, E. and Wickemeyer, W. 2008. Is Phantom the bed bug answer Pest Control Technology. June, 2008.
  • Potter, M. F., A. Romero, K. F. Haynes, and T. Jarzynka. 2008. Bed bugs, heat, and hotel rooms. Pest Control Technology. October, 2008
  • Haynes, K. F., Romero, A., Hassell, R. and Potter, M. F. 2008. The secret lives of bed bugs. Pest World. March/April: 4-8.
  • Potter M. F. Romero, A., and Haynes, K. F. 2008. The situation of bed bugs in the USA. Proceedings of the Sixth Interntational Conference on Urban Pests, ed. by Robinson WR and Bajomi D, Budapest, Hungary. OOK Press kft, Budapest, Hungary.