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Description

Adult Description: The adult common Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is red/brown in color, oval in its overall shape, dorsoneutrally flattened, and is 5.5 mm in length. The forewings are broad and rectangular in shape. Short stiff hairs are present on the prothorax (near the first pair of legs) that are shorter than the length of the insect's eye.

Nymph Description: The Common Bedbug nymph is similar in appearance to the adult with a noticeable difference in color. In the nymph or larval stage the body of the Common Bedbug is lighter in color. There are five nymphal stages which require feeding on blood in between stages and molting to allow for an increase in size. The eggs are white and measure about 1mm in length. The first nymphal stage produces a larvae of 1.5mm in length which increases proportionally through each stage resulting in a 5.5mm adult.

Host Plant: The Common Bedbug doesn't utilize a host plant, it is known for seeking human hosts.

Ecological Threat

The Common Bedbug is known to carry over 40 diseases in the form of blood-born pathogens. However, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are known for causing irritation and swelling around the area of the bite.

Biology

The Common Bedbug has a relatively long life cycle of 6-12 months, they are able to sustain life without nutrients from a host for a long period of time enabling them to go undetected.

History

It is thought that the Common Bedbug was brought to North America with early settlers and has since then spread throughout.

Native Origin

Europe

Current Location

U.S. Habitat: The Common Bedbug can be found on or near hosts human where adults and nymphse can take blood meals.

U.S. Present: The Common Bedbug can be found readily throughout the United States.

Resembles

Common Bedbugs are similar to two other bedbugs in the genus Cimex, Cimex hemipterus and Cimex adjunctus. Cimex hemipterus differs from Cimex lectularius in that it is less laterally expanded and less flattened. Cimex adjunctus has longer hair on the prothorax comparatively to Cimex lectularius.

Management

Cimex lectularius has no known parasites that can be used for control. However C. lectularius populations are limited by temperature fluctuations. Currently, research tests for effective pesticides have shown pesticide containing Cyhalothrin to be the most effective. Unfortunately, in the study strains of C. lectularius were found to be resistant to this treatment in comparison to strains taken from the natural environment.

References

References

Doggett, S. L., Dwyer, D. E., Peñas, P. F., & Russell, R. C. 2012. Bed bugs: clinical relevance and control options. Clinical microbiology reviews, 25(1):164-192.

Harraca, V., Ryne, C., Birgersson, G., & Ignell, R. 2012. Smelling your way to food: can bed bugs use our odour?. The Journal of experimental biology, 215(4):623-629.

Ryckman, R.E., D.G. Bently, and E.F. Archbold. 1981. The Cimicidae of the Americas and Oceanic Islands, a checklist and bibliography. Bull. Soc. Vector. Ecol. 6:93-142.

Johnson, C.G. 1941. The Ecology of the Bed-Bug, Cimex lectularius L., in Britain: Report on Research, 1935-40. Journal of Hygiene, 41(4):45-461.

SEARCH Online

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Internet Sources

http://bugguide.net/node/view/15475

http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957946/