B ed B ug By Muhammad Zeeshan Nazar B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture Science Department of Entomology 1

Outline  Taxonomy  Background  Life stages  Life cycle  Damage  Control

T.N: Cimex lectularius Family: Cimicidae Order: Hemiptera Other Names : Bat bug, Bird bug Taxonomy

Last of 17 th century bed bugs have been a house hold pest issue in Egypt, that were used to cure snake bite. In 18 th century they were abundant in North America by the arrival of Europeans settler, considered one of the top three pest. Almost eliminated in US at the mid of 20 th century by use of DDT. History

Rising numbers since 2001 and increase rapidly in last 5 years. Actually originated in the Middle East, in caves of humans and bats. Record of last 12 years, bed bugs has been reported in the; U.S, Canada, European & Asian countries, Australia and some parts of Africa.

 In ancient Rome, they were called Cimex, meaning “bug”.  The species designation lecturlarius refers to a couch or bed. How they were named…??? Bed bugs are commonly found in beds, on sofas, in chairs and areas near where people sleep or lounge.

Features Hematophagous Feeding lasts 3 – 12 minutes After meal, increase in length by 30%-50% weight 150%-200% Wingless, Ectoparasites Bed Bug

 Can’t fly, jump or burrow, they crawl.  Seeks warmth, which helps locate warm-blooded hosts  Nocturnal  Often brought in on luggage or used furniture. Bed bugs more active at night, but if that feel hunger they can bite at any time.

Identification  Eggs are creamy white, capsule like.  Mostly eggs are present at hidden places.  1 mm in size (size to two grains of salt).  Eggs are held in place on surfaces with a glue like substance. Eggs

 Similar to adult but smaller in size.  Clear or a yellowish color.  Nymph feed on blood.  5 nymphal instars  Nymphs feed for 3 minutes fully swell. Nymph

 Adults are reddish brown and oval shape.  Its size is 5mm long and 3mm its width size of an apple seed.  After feeding, bed bugs can swell to upwards of 10mm and get heavier and darker in color. Not as small as you might think Adult

Female Rounded abdomen Male Pointed abdomen

Below ~13˚C Development stops Above ~40˚C Development stops Flourish at temperature between ~18˚C - 27˚C Die at temperature > 44˚C or < 0˚C

Female lay between eggs each day, on rough surfaces. Lay up to eggs in life span. The hatching period is 1 week. Nymphal period is 4-6 weeks. Its is multivoltine (3-4 generations per year). Life of adult is 6 month. The starvation period is 1 year. Life Cycle

4-6 weeks Size increase mm 1st instar 2 nd instar 5 th instar 4 th instar 3 rd instar Adult 5.5mm Eggs

It cause damage during night. Its bite is painless It feed on blood meal of animals. After bite, it cause skin rashes, redness, irritation and lesion can be produced over the victim. Damage Bed bug bites do not transmit disease.

Severe Reaction Immediate reaction

Control Vacuum Cleaning Steaming Furniture

Bed Bug Detection Dogs

Use of kerosine oil inject it in the cracks. Pyrithroids ( 0.1% % )

Cimex-Attractant Traps Cimex Detection Case Nightwatch