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Cimex species are ectoparasites that exclusively feed on warm‐blooded animals such as birds and mammals. Three cimicid species are known to be persistent pests for humans, including the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus, common bed bug Cimex lectularius, and Eastern bat bug Leptocimex boueti. To date, genomic information is restricted to the common bed bug C. lectularius, which limits understanding their biology and to provide controls of bed bug infestations. Here, a chromosomal‐level genome assembly of C. hemipterus (495 Mb [megabase pairs]) contained on 16 pseudochromosomes (scaffold N50 = 34 Mb), together with 9 messenger RNA and small RNA transcriptomes were obtained. In comparison between hemipteran genomes, we found that the tetraspanin superfamily was expanded in the Cimex ancestor. This study provides the first genome assembly for the tropical bed bug C. hemipterus, and offers an unprecedented opportunity to address questions relating to bed bug infestations, as well as genomic evolution to hemipterans more widely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo investigate the infestation and disposal of bedbugs in Shanghai， and provide scientific evidence for comprehensive prevention and control of bedbugs.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted in the pest control operations （PCOs） of Shanghai Association for Health Promotion to investigate the infestation and disposal of bedbugs. The questionnaire included basic information of the unit， bedbug disposal experience， type of environment of bedbug infestation， main disposal site， main treatment method， main drug and formulation， and evaluation of the disposal. Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups.ResultsOf the 116 PCOs， 78 （67.24%） had conducted bedbug disposal， and 29.49% had conducted the disposal no less than 5 times in the past three years. The main types of environment of bedbug infestation were dormitories （46.96%）， hotels （18.78%）， and households （20.44%）. Additionally， bedbug infestation was found in nursing homes， prisons and detention centers， and transport vehicles. Bed frame/bed board/mattress （32.42%） was the main site of bedbug infestation， followed by mat （19.63%）. Chemical spraying was the most common method for bedbug disposal （98.72%）， followed by high-temperature steam （11.54%）. The main drug used in chemical spraying were pyrethroids （69.23%）， nicotinoids （60.26%） and organophosphorus （42.31%）， for which the main formulation were suspended insecticides （55.13%）， followed by wettable powders （43.59%） and emulsifiers （43.59%）. Furthermore， 89.74% of the PCOs performed the assessment after disposal， in which the control effect was generally satisfactory.ConclusionBedbug infestation is relatively common in Shanghai. Dormitories， hotels and households are places where bedbug infestation is more likely to occur. Bed frame， bed board and mattress are the most vulnerable sites to bedbug infestation. Combination of physical and chemical methods should be used for disposal of bedbug infestation.

We report ectoparasites found on humans and wildlife from different locations in southeastern Brazil. Ectoparasites were stored in 70% alcohol and visually identified under a stereo microscope with the help of identification keys. Genomic DNA of ticks was extracted and used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of tick-borne pathogens. Sixteen species of ectoparasites (six ticks, one louse, four fleas, four flies, and one bedbug) were identified on ten host species, including humans, other mammals, and birds. We report the first record of the parasitism of Amblyomma longirostre on Didelphis aurita, Microlynchia pussila on Turdus leucomelas, Ornithoica vicina and Ornithocoris pallidus on Psittacara leucophthalmus and O. pallidus on Homo sapiens. In addition, we also report the first record of O. vicina in the state of Minas Gerais and the infection by Rickettsia sp. in Amblyomma varium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To investigate the risk factors associated with bedbug infestations among Hong Kong households, self-reported questionnaires in Chinese were distributed online between June 2019 and July 2020. The questionnaire collected data on participants' sociodemographics, history of bedbug infestation, and housing situation. Among the 663 participants who completed the questionnaire, 422 (63.7%) have experienced bedbug infestations in the past year, they were concentrated around the Kowloon region. Weighted bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were performed to identify the statistically significant (p value < 0.05) factors associated with bedbug infestations. Bivariate analysis shows a positive correlation between the number of reported dilapidated housing features and bedbug infestation. For multivariate analysis, those aged 45–64 (OR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.30–4.91), have primary education or below (OR = 9.43, 95% CI 3.12–28.44), and monthly household income ≤ HKD30,000 (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.15–2.5) were more likely to have bedbug infestation compared to their respective reference groups, i.e., ≥ 65, tertiary education, and > HKD30,000; housing risk factors identified are living in subdivided flats (OR = 16.53, 95% CI 1.01–269.72), crowded household (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.06–2.28), having second-hand furniture (OR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.16–7.58), housing cleanliness issues (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.13–6.25), and presence of bedbugs in neighbouring residential units (OR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.57–7.04) or on the streets (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.12–3.23). This study has identified lower income, lower education level, crowded household, living in subdivided flats, and certain dilapidated housing features to be risk factors of bedbug infestations; efforts and policies should prioritise vulnerable groups and focus on addressing the housing risk factors identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, triage information, diagnostic evaluation, and disposition for emergency department patients with and without bed bug infestation. A retrospective case–control study of patients with and without bed bugs was performed from February 1, 2011, through February 1, 2017. Cases (n = 332) and controls (n = 4,952) were matched by age, sex, and emergency department location. Patient characteristics and clinical information were compared between groups. On univariable and multivariable analysis, patients with bed bugs had higher heart rate, lower systolic blood pressure, higher pain scores, and more frequent tobacco use in the past year. They were also more likely to screen positive in triage for an unsafe home; require an abuse consultation; be diagnosed in the emergency department or inpatient setting with malnutrition, marasmus, and/or cachexia; have more emergency department and hospital visits; and have longer hospital encounter lengths of stay (all p ≤ 0.02). On univariable analysis, patients with bed bugs were also more likely than uninfested controls to be single, be Black, come to the emergency department from home, arrive to the emergency department by ambulance, and not be discharged back to their homes from the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to review published scientific literature on bed bugs in countries where insecticide resistance has been reported worldwide from 2000 to 2021. Electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and WOS, were searched. Out of 606 articles found in the initial search, we selected 57 articles, of which 40 articles had reported on Cimex lectularius (C. lectularius), and 22 papers had reported on Cimex hemipterus (C. hemipterus). Most studies on insecticide resistance were carried out on C. lectularius in North America (14, 35%) and C. hemipterus in Asia (16, 72.7%). The most common method used to detect bed bug resistance to insecticides was toxicological bioassay with an overall random pooled effect size of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.23–0.53) in C. lectularius and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.27–0.65) in C. hemipterus. Resistance to pyrethroids was reported against C. lectularius with an overall pooled effect size of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56–0.94) and C. hemipterus with an overall pooled effect size of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.57–0.93) in 33.40 (82.5%) and 19.22 (86.3%) published articles, respectively. A very high resistance level to pyrethroids in both studied species was observed, and resistance ratios at the highest level were 76389.3 and 315.5 in C. lectularius and C. hemipterus, respectively. Resistance mechanisms against pyrethroids were reported from most locations except Iran and Thailand, but these mechanisms were not studied in other insecticide groups. These reports indicate that chemical control options for bed bugs are limited. Therefore, a combination of chemical and non-chemical strategies is recommended for bed bug control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

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Sperm metabolism is fundamental to sperm motility and male fertility. Its measurement is still in its infancy, and recommendations do not exist as to whether or how to standardize laboratory procedures. Here, using the sperm of an insect, the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius, we demonstrate that standardization of sperm metabolism is required with respect to the artificial sperm storage medium and a natural medium, the seminal fluid. We used fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) in combination with time‐correlated single‐photon counting (TCSPC) to quantify sperm metabolism based on the fluorescent properties of autofluorescent coenzymes, NAD(P)H and flavin adenine dinucleotide. Autofluorescence lifetimes (decay times) differ for the free and protein‐bound state of the co‐enzymes, and their relative contributions to the lifetime signal serve to characterize the metabolic state of cells. We found that artificial storage medium and seminal fluid separately, and additively, affected sperm metabolism. In a medium containing sugars and amino acids (Grace's Insect medium), sperm showed increased glycolysis compared with a commonly used storage medium, phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). Adding seminal fluid to the sperm additionally increased oxidative phosphorylation, likely reflecting increased energy production of sperm during activation. Our study provides a protocol to measure sperm metabolism independently from motility, stresses that protocol standardizations for sperm measurements should be implemented and, for the first time, demonstrates that seminal fluid alters sperm metabolism. Equivalent protocol standardizations should be imposed on metabolic investigations of human sperm samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bedbugs (Cimex spp.) are a public health problem and an urban pest that require blood meal from humans, other mammals or birds to survive. Bedbugs constitute an emerging public health problem and infestations have been reported globally. This paper reports three cases of social health problems caused by bedbugs in three residential buildings in Kish Island, Dezful, and Ahvaz in southern Iran. Case presentation: Case 1; A 42-year-old male living in Dezful city had a bedbug infestation in his house (September 2018). He developed a phobia (entomophobia) about bedbugs. Case 2; A 36-year-old man and 33-year-old woman living in Ahvaz city had a bedbug infestation in their house (August 2017). The woman was very concerned about the bedbug infestation in the house and she had entomophobia, stress, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia; this issue caused resentment and hence conflict between the couple. Case 3: A 25-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man living in Kish Island rented a house from a 45-year-old man. The landlord was very concerned about the bedbug infestation in the house (July 2017), and claimed that the tenants were responsible for bedbugs’ presence. This issue caused hostility and conflict between them. Generally, all cases had bedbug infestations in their houses and this issue caused some social health problems such as entomophobia, concern, fear, stress, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, resentment and conflict. Take-away lesson: Bedbugs are not vectors for infectious disease. But, with regard to our observations in the present study, bedbug infestations can produce some social health problems such as entomophobia, concern, fear, stress, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia, as well as resentment, hostility and conflict between residents in infested houses.

As a result of withdrawing residual insecticides such as organophosphates and carbamates throughout the world, infestation in Cimex lectularius has been dramatically increased in recent years. The ability of this pest to starve for three months and its flattened shape of body enables it to hide in tiny holes/cracks or folds, making it difficult to control. Therefore, as a complementary action, fumigating products like textile products and furniture within the dwellings became a practice in Israel. After the conventional treatment of stripping the room, vacuuming, steaming the mattresses and then spraying with a Pyrethroid – a novel method was developed; instead of steaming the mattress and dry cleaning all textile clothes and products, fumigating all movable furniture and textile products with CO2 inside the dwellings. Based on several scientific papers on the efficacy of CO2 on the bedbugs, this method has been successfully implemented in Israel. All textile products are inserted into a sealed, low permeability fumigation cube for three days of exposure time at room temperature to reach a calculated concentration of 100% CO2. Since textile products absorb some of the CO2, the concentrations quickly drops to about 80%. During the summer of 2017, numerous treatments have been carried out with a 100% success and repeated treatments were not required. This treatment has proved to be a promising method of controlling C. lectularius with no need for evacuation of the residents and saving money and efforts in dry cleaning cloths and textile products. It is highly effective against all life stages of the pest.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the prevalence of Cimex species (bedbugs) infestation in human dwellings rose exponentially, particularly in the United States. Although there is no evidence that bedbugs transmit diseases to their hosts, they are difficult to eradicate, making them a source of psychological and physical distress and a socioeconomic burden to society. Here, the author describes the case of an eight-year-old boy who presented with widespread, multiple, itchy, red papules surrounded by round patches of erythematous, edematous skin, and was eventually diagnosed with cimicosis (bedbug infestation). Other family members living with the boy showed no clinical signs of bedbug infestation, and the bites on the boy were not in the typical three-row linear configuration associated with bedbug bites-which made this case compelling. Clinical diagnostic characteristics, symptom management, and suggestions on infestation eradication are provided. Biological and epidemiological characteristics of bedbug infestation are also described. Currently, evidence of simple, safe, and effective means of bedbug eradication is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Entomología is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bed bugs are a significant and under-studied public health nuisance. We surveyed 706 emergency department patients and found bed bug infestations were more likely (p < 0.05) among subjects having persons 19–64 years of age in the house, living in a group home, a previous history with bed bugs, and knowing someone who currently has bed bugs. Sleeping in a hotel, recent homelessness, obtaining used clothing or furniture and using a laundromat were not associated with increased risk (p > 0.05) for infestation. Individuals with less education and income were more likely (p < 0.05) to have bed bugs and express concern about getting bed bugs. Younger persons were more likely to correctly identify a picture of a bed bug compared to those over the age of 60 years (p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Protection & Pathology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Bedbugs (Cimex spp.) are a public health problem and an urban pest that require blood meal from humans, other mammals or birds to survive. Bedbugs constitute an emerging public health problem and infestations have been reported globally. This paper reports three cases of social health problems caused by bedbugs in three residential buildings in Kish Island, Dezful, and Ahvaz in southern Iran. Case presentation: Case 1; A 42-year-old male living in Dezful city had a bedbug infestation in his house (September 2018). He developed a phobia (entomophobia) about bedbugs. Case 2; A 36-year-old man and 33-year-old woman living in Ahvaz city had a bedbug infestation in their house (August 2017). The woman was very concerned about the bedbug infestation in the house and she had entomophobia, stress, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia; this issue caused resentment and hence conflict between the couple. Case 3: A 25-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man living in Kish Island rented a house from a 45-year-old man. The landlord was very concerned about the bedbug infestation in the house (July 2017), and claimed that the tenants were responsible for bedbugs’ presence. This issue caused hostility and conflict between them. Generally, all cases had bedbug infestations in their houses and this issue caused some social health problems such as entomophobia, concern, fear, stress, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, resentment and conflict. Take-away lesson: Bedbugs are not vectors for infectious disease. But, with regard to our observations in the present study, bedbug infestations can produce some social health problems such as entomophobia, concern, fear, stress, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia, as well as resentment, hostility and conflict between residents in infested houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cimex lectularius, the common bedbug is an important, emerging pest of both veterinary and medical importance. Here a recently discovered, genetically distinct new species of the C. lectularius group is described morphologically, as Cimex pulveratus Hornok sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symbiotic Wolbachia are the most sophisticated mutualistic bacterium among all insect-associated microbiota. Wolbachia-insect relationship fluctuates from the simple facultative/parasitic to an obligate nutritional-mutualistic association as it was the case of the bedbug-Wolbachia from Cimexlectularius. Understanding this association may help in the control of associated arthropods. Genomic data have proven to be reliable tools in resolving some aspects of these symbiotic associations. Although, Wolbachia appear to be fastidious or uncultivated bacteria which strongly limited their study. Here we proposed Drosophila S2 cell line for the isolation and culture model to study Wolbachia strains. We therefore isolated and characterized a novel Wolbachia strain associated with the bedbug Cimexhemipterus, designated as wChem strain PL13, and proposed Wolbachiamassiliensis sp. nov. strain wChem-PL13 a type strain of this new species from new supergroup T. Phylogenetically, T-supergroup was close to F and S-supergroups from insects and D-supergroup from filarial nematodes. We determined the 1,291,339-bp genome of wChem-PL13, which was the smallest insect-associated Wolbachia genomes. Overall, the wChem genome shared 50% of protein coding genes with the other insect-associated facultative Wolbachia strains. These findings highlight the diversity of Wolbachia genotypes as well as the Wolbachia-host relationship among Cimicinae subfamily. The wChem provides folate and riboflavin vitamins on which the host depends, while the bacteria had a limited translation mechanism suggesting its strong dependence to its hosts. However, the clear-cut distinction between mutualism and parasitism of the wChem in C. hemipterus cannot be yet ruled out.

Little is known about cimicosis, the resultant dermal reaction from feeding activity by the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius L. We fed C. lectularius on human study subjects four times over four weeks and measured serum cytokine and antibody levels, and subjects recorded any cimicosis. The average time for subjects to develop cimicosis decreased with each feeding from 8.4, to 2.1, 1.5 and 1.3 days, respectively. There were no significant changes in total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG4 or IgE levels between the first and fourth bedbug feedings, but there was a significant decrease in total IgG3 levels ( P<.001). IgG4 was not required for cimicosis. Higher IgG2 and IgG4 levels at study visit 4 were associated with an increased duration of cimicosis ( P=.04) and lower pruritis ( P=.03), respectively. There were no significant changes in serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-17A levels before and one hour after the C. lectularius feeding. Lower post- C. lectularius feeding IL-6 levels were associated with increased pruritis ( P=.001) and the time to maximum pruritis ( P=.04), respectively. Higher post- C. lectularius feeding IL-5 levels were associated with a longer duration of pruritis ( P=.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Bedbug infestations are increasing across North America and Europe, with more people presenting to Emergency Departments for treatment. Physicians cannot provide substantive treatment for people affected by bedbugs. Study Objective: To determine if ivermectin, a relatively inexpensive and safe, long-acting oral anti-parasitic drug is able to cause bedbug morbidity and mortality. Methods: We evaluated the effects of ivermectin on bedbugs using an artificial feeding membrane and mice and humans. Bedbug morbidity, mortality, and nymph molting was recorded. Results: Using an artificial feeding membrane, bedbug mortality was 98% (n = 81) for 260 ng/mL ivermectin and 0% for 0 ng/mL ivermectin (control; n = 90) after 13 days. Mortality for bedbugs fed on mice injected with the human equivalent of 200 μg/kg ivermectin was 86% (n = 22), vs. 0% in the 0 μg/kg ivermectin (control; n = 21). Of the surviving nymphs, 0% exposed to ivermectin molted by day 75, vs. 80% in the control group by day 8. Bedbugs that fed once on human study subjects 3 h after consuming 200 μg/kg of oral ivermectin had a 63% (n = 24) 20-day mortality rate, vs. 8% (n = 24) in the control group. Of the surviving nymphs, 0% (n = 5) in the 3-h ivermectin group molted, vs. 80% (n = 10) of the control group. Conclusions: It may be possible that ivermectin could help eradicate, suppress, or prevent a bedbug infestation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study that determines the different bedbug label in Turkey. It analyzes the availability of different Turkish label of bedbugs such as kandalay, kandalayan, and kandağay ve kandalar, and they are mostly used particularly in some immigrant dialects. It also considers different words with respect to their forms and status in other Turkic languages.

Abstract: The bedbugs Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus are obligate hematophages in all their nymphal instars as well as in the adult stage. The efficiency with which the insects obtain blood from their hosts is directly related to their population dynamics. In the present study we compared the feeding process and salivary content in individuals of these two species when fed on different blood sources or host sites, using a cibarial pump electromyogram. Females ingested more blood than males but needed longer contact time with the host to complete the meal. The bedbug C. lectularius was more efficient than C. hemipterus in obtaining blood from mice and pigeons. With regard to the feeding site on mice, it was easier for the insects to obtain blood from the skin of the belly than that of the back. Individuals of C. hemipterus were able to maintain the cibarial pump functioning at higher frequencies for longer periods when fed on pigeons treated with anticoagulant. Although saliva from C. lectularius contained more hemeproteins and showed more anti-clotting activity its total protein content was similar to that of C. hemipterus. Overall, C. lectularius obtains a bloodmeal more efficiently from its hosts, which may have enabled this species to reach higher levels of infestation than C. hemipterus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cimex lectularius (the “bedbug”) is an insect that feeds nocturnally, taking a requisite blood meal from a sleeping human or other parasitized host. Immunological reactions to bedbug saliva vary, but typically, bites yield erythematous and pruritic papules. The face and distal extremities, areas uncovered by sleeping clothes or blankets, are preferentially involved. Until the late 1990s, bedbug infestations in the United States were declining. Resurgence is attributed to increased travel and resistance to insecticides. Although hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus is not effectively transmitted by the bedbug, pruritus and the fear and perceived violation of an infestation can be debilitating. Bedbugs are small but robust, and their ability to remain ensconced in crevices within the bedroom makes eradication difficult. As more patients present with bedbug bites, physicians must possess the knowledge to diagnose, treat, and educate with regard to bedbug bites and bedbug infestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trap for the collection of bedbugs, Cimex lectularius Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), is described. The trap was baited with CO2 (50–400 mL/min), heat (37.2–42.2 °C) and a chemical lure comprised of 33.0 μg proprionic acid, 0.33 μg butyric acid, 0.33 μg valeric acid, 100 μg octenol and 100 μg L-lactic acid, impregnated into a gel. Laboratory studies, conducted in a square arena measuring 183 cm on each side, showed that traps with and without baits captured adult bedbugs, but traps with CO2 emissions of 50–400 mL/min caught significantly ( P < 0.05) more bedbugs than traps without CO2. In an infested unoccupied apartment, traps with heat and with or without the chemical lure were tested without CO2 on 29 trap-days and with CO2 on 9 trap-days. The numbers of bedbugs captured were 656 and 5898 in traps without and with CO2, respectively. The numbers of bedbugs of all development stages captured were significantly greater in traps with CO2 (χ2 = 15 942, d.f. = 1, P < 10−9). A non-parametric two-way analysis of variance evaluation of six different traps with or without CO2, heat or a chemical lure monitored over 19 trap-days in an infested apartment showed that trap type was highly significant ( n = 2833 bedbugs collected) ( P < 10−7). The trap with CO2, heat and a chemical lure captured more bedbugs than the other traps, but only caught significantly more fourth and fifth instar nymphs than all other traps. Otherwise, the catches in this trap did not differ significantly from those caught by traps that contained CO2 and heat only. The total numbers of bedbugs collected for each trapping date (pooling all six traps) followed an exponential decline over the trapping period. This type of trap, which caught bedbugs in unoccupied apartments with and without furniture, and in an occupied apartment, may have utility in studying the ecology of bedbugs, in detecting bedbug infestations and in reducing numbers of bites by trapping host-seeking bedbugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual conflict can produce several evolutionary outcomes, one of which is female-limited trait polymorphism. We examine the African bat bug Afrocimex constrictus (Cimicidae), a species where both sexes are subjected to traumatic intromission from males. We show that males possess female genital structures that in related species ameliorate the costs of traumatic insemination. Moreover, the male form of these structures differs morphologically from the standard female form. Examination of females in our isolated study population revealed a discrete polymorphism in female genitalia. Some females had the typical cimicid form, while others had genitalia that more closely resembled the distinctive male form. Males, as well as females with the distinctive male form, experienced fewer traumatic copulations than the typical female morph. We propose that some females mimic the bizarre male condition in order to reduce the frequency of costly traumatic inseminations. To our knowledge this is the first example of a distinct female-limited genital polymorphism: its nature, as well as its association with traumatic sexual interactions, strongly suggests that sexual conflict underpins this unique phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symbiotic Wolbachia are the most sophisticated mutualistic bacterium among all insect-associated microbiota. Wolbachia-insect relationship fluctuates from the simple facultative/parasitic to an obligate nutritional-mutualistic association as it was the case of the bedbug-Wolbachia from Cimexlectularius. Understanding this association may help in the control of associated arthropods. Genomic data have proven to be reliable tools in resolving some aspects of these symbiotic associations. Although, Wolbachia appear to be fastidious or uncultivated bacteria which strongly limited their study. Here we proposed Drosophila S2 cell line for the isolation and culture model to study Wolbachia strains. We therefore isolated and characterized a novel Wolbachia strain associated with the bedbug Cimexhemipterus, designated as wChem strain PL13, and proposed Wolbachiamassiliensis sp. nov. strain wChem-PL13 a type strain of this new species from new supergroup T. Phylogenetically, T-supergroup was close to F and S-supergroups from insects and D-supergroup from filarial nematodes. We determined the 1,291,339-bp genome of wChem-PL13, which was the smallest insect-associated Wolbachia genomes. Overall, the wChem genome shared 50% of protein coding genes with the other insect-associated facultative Wolbachia strains. These findings highlight the diversity of Wolbachia genotypes as well as the Wolbachia-host relationship among Cimicinae subfamily. The wChem provides folate and riboflavin vitamins on which the host depends, while the bacteria had a limited translation mechanism suggesting its strong dependence to its hosts. However, the clear-cut distinction between mutualism and parasitism of the wChem in C. hemipterus cannot be yet ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Bedbugs seem to have become more common due to international trade and travelling. We report on a 37-year-old man who developed a bullous reaction with fever and general malaise due to bites of the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius . Fortunately, bullous and systemic reactions are rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bed bugs are common urban pests associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and some reports of suicidality. The emergency department (ED) treats patients with both acute mental illness and bed bug infestations. There have been few studies examining associations between bed bug infestations and mental illness. Methods A case-control study involving 332 adult ED patients infested with bed bugs and 4,952 uninfested control patients matched on sex, age (±1 year at the time of the ED visit), and the specific ED was completed. All clinic encounters occurred in northeast Ohio between February 1, 2011, and February 1, 2017, from a single health system. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis looked for associations between bed bug infestation and different psychiatric diagnoses and medications. Results Bed bug infested patients were more likely than uninfested patients to screen positive for an unsafe home and needing an abuse consult at ED triage ( P ≤.03 for both). ED psychiatric evaluations were not significantly more common among those with (2.4%) and without (1.3%) bed bugs ( P =.14). Bed bug infested patients were significantly more likely to have an ED or inpatient diagnosis of alcohol abuse and psychosis ( P ≤.03 for both), but not for depression or suicidality. On univariable analysis, among ED patients not admitted to the hospital, bed bug infested patients were more likely to be diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia/schizoaffective disease (P≤.02) than uninfested patients. Among ED patients that received an ED or inpatient psychiatric evaluation and were admitted to the hospital, bed bug infested patients were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with depression and suicidality ( P ≤.03 for both). However, they were not significantly more likely to have insomnia or anxiety. Discussion Among ED patients, bed bug infestations were not associated with an ED or inpatient diagnosis of depression or suicidality. On univariable analysis, some mental health diagnoses such as anxiety and insomnia were more common among ED patients with bed bugs, but these associations were no longer significant on multivariable analysis. These associations likely reflect the complex relationships between socioeconomic factors, health disparities, mental illness, and having a bed bug infestation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2021, Sheele et al.)

Introduction Bed bugs are commonly encountered by emergency medical service (EMS) providers. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency with which EMS providers encountered bed bugs, assess their knowledge about bed bugs, and analyze the actions they take after finding bed bugs. Methods We anonymously surveyed 407 EMS providers from 180 EMS agencies in northeast Ohio between September 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019. Results Among the providers surveyed, 21% (n = 84) of the EMS providers reported seeing bed bugs at least monthly, and 6% (n = 24) reported seeing bed bugs at least weekly. Being younger, male, and working in an urban environment (vs. rural) were associated with EMS providers reporting more frequent bed bug encounters (p: ≤.05). The mean level of concern for encountering bed bugs among EMS providers was 3.54 (SD: 1.15; scale: 1 = no concern, 5 = very concerned). Among the EMS providers who reported seeing bed bugs at least monthly, 30% took the affected EMS stretcher out of service when they encounter a bed bug, 43% took the EMS rig out of service, 83% cleaned the EMS stretcher with a disinfectant, and 88% notified the ED that their patient has bed bugs. EMS providers scored poorly (mean: 69% correct responses) in a seven-question assessment of basic bed bug biology and public health. Conclusion Based on our findings, we concluded that EMS knowledge and behavior related to bed bugs are suboptimal., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Sheele et al.)

There is an ongoing need for safe and effective anti-bedbug compounds. Here, we tested the toxicity of three antimicrobial agents against bedbugs when administered orally. We reveal that doxycycline has direct insecticidal activity at 250 μg/ml (0.025%) that is particularly strong against immature bedbugs and appears to be independent of antimicrobial activity. Future studies to determine the mechanisms behind this property could be useful for the development of orally active insecticides or anti-bedbug therapeutics., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.)

Cimex lectularius L., the common bed bug, is a hematophagous human ectoparasite. The veterinary drugs, spinosad and fluralaner, were studied for their ability to incapacitate C. lectularius when administered in a blood meal using an artificial feeding system under laboratory conditions. Tested drug doses were based on the reported peak blood levels in animals given the drugs. Spinosad at doses 1,000 ng/mL or higher resulted in 75% or greater bed bug incapacitation (defined as death or immobility). Fluralaner at doses 500 ng/mL or higher had 100% bed bug incapacitation. Both drugs were significantly more effective than controls at these doses ( P  < 0.001)., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Sheele et al.)

Cimex hemipterus resistance to residual insecticides is a growing public health concern worldwide. Herein, we report the susceptibility status of C. hemipterus against pyrethroid (permethrin) and organophosphate (dichlorvos) insecticides in Dar es Salaam. The knockdown efficacy of dichlorvos (99%) was greater than that of permethrin (43%), and mortality at the end of 24 h was also greater for dichlorvos than for permethrin. Mortality in recommended concentration of permethrin was lower than manufacturer's expectations. In contrast, similar concentrations in dichlorvos resulted into mortality of 100% at the end of 24 h. LC50 and LC95 values for permethrin were 3.36 (2.356-4.364) and 2,887.39 (2,886.37-2,888.39), respectively, whereas those of dichlorvos were 7.91 (3.85-11.97) and 44.39 (40.33-48.45). Dar es Salaam city has high coverage and usage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for prevent malaria. The resistance in bedbugs to permethrin may be related to the widespread use of the insecticide in LLINs. We recommend of the change from pyrethroids dichlorvos for the control of bedbugs., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

All 100+ bedbug species (Cimicidae) are obligate blood-sucking parasites [ 1, 2 ]. In general, blood sucking (hematophagy) is thought to have evolved in generalist feeders adventitiously taking blood meals [ 3, 4 ], but those cimicid taxa currently considered ancestral are putative host specialists [ 1, 5 ]. Bats are believed to be the ancestral hosts of cimicids [ 1 ], but a cimicid fossil [ 6 ] predates the oldest known bat fossil [ 7 ] by >30 million years (Ma). The bedbugs that parasitize humans [ 1, 8 ] are host generalists, so their evolution from specialist ancestors is incompatible with the "resource efficiency" hypothesis and only partially consistent with the "oscillation" hypothesis [ 9–16 ]. Because quantifying host shift frequencies of hematophagous specialists and generalists may help to predict host associations when vertebrate ranges expand by climate change [ 17 ], livestock, and pet trade in general and because of the previously proposed role of human pre-history in parasite speciation [ 18–20 ], we constructed a fossil-dated, molecular phylogeny of the Cimicidae. This phylogeny places ancestral Cimicidae to 115 mya as hematophagous specialists with lineages that later frequently populated bat and bird lineages. We also found that the clades, including the two major current urban pests, Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus , separated 47 mya, rejecting the notion that the evolutionary trajectories of Homo caused their divergence [ 18–21 ]. • Bedbugs arose 115 mya, 30+ Ma before their assumed host, bats • From unknown ancestral hosts, several bat and bird host lineages evolved • Humans became hosts three times by host extension of specialists, not host switching • Two urban pests, common and tropical bedbug, split ca. 40 Ma before Homo speciation Using a fossil-dated phylogeny, Roth et al. show the bedbug family evolved 30+ Ma before bats, their previously assumed hosts. Bats, birds, and humans were each colonized several times. The tropical and common bedbug split 47 mya, rejecting Ashford's hypothesis of their independent evolution on Homo erectus and H. sapiens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To measure the population size and fecundity of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius L. (C. lectularius) after feeding it with the blood obtained from human subjects who have consumed a single dose of ivermectin. Methods  Serial blood samples were obtained from two human subjects at hour 0 (control) and 4-96 hours after they received a single 0.2 mg/kg dose of ivermectin. The blood samples were then fed to 2,273 bed bugs. Bed bug incapacitation rates, fecundity, and population sizes were recorded over a 54-day period. Whole blood ivermectin levels were measured in the human subjects and the insects. Results  The fold change in the size of the control group population over the course of the experiment was found to be 2.16. This was significantly greater (p: <.001) than for all the post-ivermectin feeding groups (range: -11.04-1.43). Two weeks after the experiment, the number of eggs laid per live adult female bed bug per day was 10.74 for controls, which was significantly different (p: <0.001) compared to all the post-ivermectin feeding groups (range: 0-4.28). Conclusions  There were significant reductions in C. lectularius population size and fecundity in insects that fed on blood obtained from human study subjects up to 96 hours after they have consumed a single oral dose of ivermectin., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2019, Sheele et al.)

Introduction Bed bug infestations have risen dramatically in many industrialized nations in recent decades. Most people fed upon by bed bugs will develop a pruritic rash although the frequency with which this occurs is not definitively known and may depend on host factors including the duration of the infestation. Methods Surveys were completed from 706 emergency department (ED) patients in Cleveland, OH about their current and past exposure with bed bugs. Subjects were asked about any post-bed bug feeding rashes that developed. Results There were 24% (169/698) of subjects reporting either a current or past home bed bug infestation, with 37% (253/698) reporting they had previously been fed upon by a bed bug. Of those reporting a previous bed bug feeding, 68% (172/253) reported a pruritic post-bed bug feeding rash and 24% (57/237) reported developing a blister. Overall, 5% (37/705) of ED patients reported currently having a rash, but only 2% (14/698) of ED patients reported currently have bed bugs at home and of those, only 14% (2/14) said they currently had a rash. Conclusion While 68% of ED patients reported a pruritic post-bed bug feeding pruritic rash, almost a third of persons did not report developing the rash. Post-bed bug feeding blister reactions are less common. Asking ED patients about a rash had a low sensitivity of 14% (2-43%) and a specificity 95% (93-96%) to identify persons reporting home bed bugs., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2019, Sheele et al.)

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Linnaeus 1758), is a nocturnal blood-sucking ectoparasite of humans that is highly prevalent in the northeast of Iran. In recent years, the efficacy of those insecticides that have been frequently used to control bed bugs in Iran has not been studied. Due to frequent complaints about bed bug treatment failures in Mashhad city (northeastern Iran), this study assessed the susceptibility of C. lectularius collected from a student residence hall to Diazinon, Malathion, and λ-cyhalothrin. The desired concentrations of each insecticide were prepared in acetone, and bioassays were performed using insecticide-impregnated filter paper method. The concentration-response data were subjected to POLO-PC software and data were analyzed by the log-probit procedure. The LC50 values of Diazinon and λ-cyhalothrin for examined bed bugs were 1,337.40 and 2,022.36 ppm, respectively. Malathion at the highest concentration (10,000 ppm) did not exhibit any toxicity to examined C. lectularius. Comparing these results to the same previous studies showed that susceptibility of examined bed bugs to these insecticides has been highly decreased. This study revealed an occurrence of insecticide resistance in bed bug populations in northeastern Iran. It also suggests that Malathion, Diazinon, and λ-cyhalothrin are ineffective against bed bugs in this region., (© Crown copyright 2019.)