Cimex Lectularius Research Articles

Bed Bug Infestation: An Updated Review.

In the past decade, there has been a global resurgence of bed bug infestations, especially in developed countries. Proper awareness and identification of bed bug infestations are essential to guide treatment and eradication. The purpose of this article is to familiarize physicians with bed bug bites so that they can effectively diagnose, treat, and address questions about bed bug bites and infestations. Bed bug bites are often painless. Typical reactions include pruritic, erythematous maculopapules occurring in clusters or in a linear or curvilinear distribution in exposed areas of the body. A small red punctum may be visualized at the center of the bite mark. Lesions that appear three in a row and papules on the upper eyelid associated with erythema and edema are highly suggestive of bites from bed bugs. Exaggerated local reactions such as vesicles, urticarial wheals, urticarial perilesional plaques, diffuse urticaria, bullae, and nodules may occur in previously sensitized individuals. Reactions to bed bug bites are self-limited. As such, treatment is mainly symptomatic. Topical pramoxine and oral antihistamines can be used to alleviate pruritus. Topical corticosteroids can be used for significant eruptions to control inflammation and pruritus, and to hasten resolution of the lesions. Integrated pest management, an approach for the eradication of bed bugs, includes monitoring devices (active monitors include the use of heat or carbon dioxide attractants and passive monitors include the use of sticky pads for trapping), and judicious use of nonchemical and chemical treatments known to be effective. Nonchemical interventions include keeping affected areas clean and free of clutter, vacuuming, washing linens with hot water, caulking wall holes and cracks where bugs can hide, proper disposal of highly infested items, and placement of bed bug traps/interceptors at the base of beds and furniture. Chemical interventions involve the use of insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids, silicates, insect growth disruptors, carbamates, organophosphates, neonicotinoids, diethyl-meta-toluamide, chlorfenapyr, fipronil and plant essential oils. Insecticides should be used with caution to prevent over-exposure and toxicity (in particular, cardiovascular and neurologic toxicity), especially if there are young children around. It is important to note that multiple mechanisms of insecticide resistance exist and as such, chemical treatment should only be undertaken by trained professionals who understand the current literature on resistance. Both nonchemical and chemical technologies should be combined for optimal results. Bed bug infestations may cause diverse dermal reactions, stigmatization, poor self-esteem, emotional stress, anxiety, significant adverse effect on quality of life, and substantial socioeconomic burden to society. As such, their rapid detection and eradication are of paramount importance. Consultation with a professional exterminator is recommended to fully eradicate an infestation.

Lethal and sublethal heat-exposure of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) causes alarm pheromone emission and elicits a movement response in nearby recipients

Many gregarious insect species use aggregation and alarm pheromones. The bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., emits an alarm pheromone (AP), a 70/30 blend of (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal, when threatened. Bed bugs avoid temperatures above 43 °C, which are lethal to bugs and used commercially as spatial heat treatments to manage infestations. However, the interaction of bed bug AP in heat avoidance has not been investigated. The goal of this research was to: 1) determine if bed bugs emit AP as an alarm response to heat exposure, and 2) quantify the behavioral responses of conspecifics to AP emitted by heat-exposed bed bugs. Using a selected ion flow tube mass spectrometer, we found that bed bugs responded to lethal and sublethal heat exposure by emitting AP. The Harlan laboratory population emitted more pheromone than a laboratory adapted field population from Florida (McCall). Harlan females emitted the most AP, followed by Harlan males, McCall females and males. In separate behavioral experiments, we showed that conspecifics (i.e., recipients) reacted to AP released by heat exposed bed bugs (i.e., emitters) by frantically moving within 50 mm and 100 mm test arenas. The Harlan recipients reacted to AP in 100 mm areas, whereas the McCall strain did not, indicating a short area of effectiveness of the AP. Synthetic AP components tested in behavioral experiments caused identical effects as the natural AP blend released by heat-exposed bed bugs.

Testing the Sensitivity of the Tropical Bed Bug Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) to Deltamethrin, Phoxim and Propetamphos in Eastern Iran

Background: Bedbugs are nocturnal ectoparasites that have made a comeback after 20 years and have become one of the main challenges for pest control methods worldwide. Monitoring chemical pesticide resistance is crucial for identi­fying the best bed bugs management strategies to effectively manage arthropods. This study aims to assess the suscepti­bility of Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) collected from different parts of Khorasan-Razavi Province, (north­east of Iran) to deltamethrin (pyrethroid), phoxim (organothiophosphate) and propetamphos (phosphoramidate).
 Methods: This study was conducted from Dec 2020 to May 2021. The efficacy of three insecticides (deltamethrin, phoxim, and propetamphos) on adult C.hemipterus was assessed using a bioassay method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO),. Concentrations of deltamethrin used were 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 ppm, while concentrations of phoxim and propetamphos were 10, 40, 160, and 320 ppm. The bed bugs were continu­ously exposed to the insecticide for 24 hours, and mortality was assessed at regular intervals during the observation pe­riod. The concentration-response data were subjected to POLO-PC software and data were analyzed by the one-way and two-way ANOVA procedures.
 Results: The lethal concentration fifty values of deltamethrin, phoxim and propetamphos on the examined bed bugs were 0.551, 0.148 and 0.237 ppm, respectively. Insecticide effects of phoxim were significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) com­pared to each of either deltamethrin and propetamphos agents.
 Conclusions: The insecticide effects of phoxim against bed bugs were significantly higher compared to each of either deltamethrin or propetamphosinsecticides.

Small but Mighty Enemies of the Skin: Scabies Mites and Bedbugs

This review offers an overview of scabies and bedbug infestations, covering their characteristics, life cycles, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods. These parasitic conditions are significant dermatological concerns caused by Sarcoptes scabiei and bedbug species such as Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus, respectively. Scabies mites burrow into the skin, causing intense itching and various skin lesions, while bedbugs are nocturnal insects that feed on human blood, leading to itchy, red lesions. These infestations involve multiple stages, with scabies mites being active at temperatures above 20℃ and bedbugs capable of surviving for extended periods without feeding under optimal conditions. Diagnosis often relies on clinical examination, dermoscopy, microscopic analysis of the skin for mites, eggs, or feces in the case of scabies, and detailed inspections for bedbugs. Treatment for scabies involves applying permethrin cream, while bedbug bites generally resolve within a few weeks with symptomatic treatment to prevent secondary infections. The increasing incidence of these infestations calls for heightened awareness and understanding among healthcare providers and the public to effectively manage and control their spread.

Identification of the pan-allergen tropomyosin from the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius)

Tropomyosin is a muscle contraction protein documented across all animal life. Despite its ubiquity, its unique structure in invertebrates leads to allergic responses in humans that vertebrate tropomyosin does not. High degrees of homology can explain cross-reactivity between tropomyosin derived from distantly-related arthropod species and establishes tropomyosin as a panallergen. Given this cross-reactivity and that they are commonly found in high numbers indoors, research on the potential of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) to contribute tropomyosin to the indoor environment is needed. Therefore, we investigated tropomyosin homology between bed bugs and known tropomyosin allergens from other taxa, tropomyosin in bed bug bodies, feces, and exuviae (cast skins), tropomyosin persistence over time, and impacts of common bed bug treatment strategies on detectable tropomyosin. Tropomyosin was detected in mechanically fractured bed bug cadavers and was detectable in bed bugs cadavers aged for 18 months. Additionally, a survey of pest management professionals showed dead bed bugs are not cleaned up following treatment. As such, dead bed bugs could act as tropomyosin reservoirs following bed bug treatment and exposure to tropomyosin from bed bugs could sensitize individuals and lead to increased responses to other arthropod tropomyosin.

Chemical variability and insect repellent effects of lemon catnip essential oil and related phytochemicals against Cimex lectularius L

Plants are sources of natural products that reflect the ecological interactions that shaped their secondary metabolism. Among those, phytochemicals with insect repellent activity have shown potential to be part of integrated pest management programs. In this study, we performed an initial screening of the repellent activities of five commercially available essential oils, as well as the essential oil of lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora Dumoulin ex Lej.) and related natural products against the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.). Additionally, we studied the effects of two different growing locations (Upper Deerfield and Pittstown, state of New Jersey, United States) on the chemical composition of three lemon catnip lines (commercial lemon catnips Richters and Jelitto, and lemon-scented catnip line CN5). The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the repellent activity was assessed by the petri dish method. Cinnamon bark, clove buds, citronella and geranium essential oils were as effective as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), the gold standard of insect repellents, against bed bugs after one hour of exposure in vitro. The essential oil of lemon catnip and its major compounds citronellol and geraniol were also as repellent as DEET using the same test. Citral shows promising short-term repellency but is inferior to geraniol and citronellol for extended duration of repellency. As for the chemical variability of lemon catnip lines in different growing locations, CN5 line was not significantly affected by the different locations, while both commercial lines Richters and Jelitto had significantly higher proportions of geraniol when grown in Upper Deerfield. Richters lemon catnip produced more nepetalactone in its essential oil when cultivated in Pittstown. This study is the first report of the activity of lemon catnip essential oil as an insect repellent and emphasized the importance of ecological conditions for the production of natural products for pest control applications.

Bed bug (Cimex lectularius) infestation in a surgery ward from northeastern Brazil

Bed bugs are arthropods of public health significance that have experienced a global resurgence. In this context, we are reporting a bed bug infestation in a surgical ward in Brazil. Thirteen patients in the surgical ward were identified as having diffuse erythematous maculopapular lesions of unknown origin. Similar signs and symptoms were observed among healthcare professionals in the same unit. The issue was addressed with all relevant departments, and a multifaceted approach was adopted to manage the infestation. Bed bugs may potentially pose health risks to both patients and healthcare professionals. It is imperative to actively monitor the structural integrity of the hospital’s physical facilities to prevent arthropod infestations. KEY WORDS: Bed bugs; Cimex lectularius; ectoparasitic infestations; hospitals.

Dynamics of cuticle-associated transcript profiles during moulting of the bed bug Cimexlectularius

The bed bug Cimex lectularius is a worldwide human pest. The sequenced genome allows molecular analyses of all aspects of bed bug biology. The present work was conducted to contribute to bed bug cuticle biology. As in other insect species, the C. lectularius cuticle consists of the three horizontal layers procuticle, epicuticle and envelope. To analyse the genes needed for the establishment of the stratified cuticle, we studied the expression pattern of 42 key cuticle-related genes at the transition of the penultimate nymphal stage to adult animals when a new cuticle is formed. Based on gene expression dynamics, in simplified model, we distinguish two key events during cuticle renewal in C. lectularius. First, upon blood feeding, modulation of ecdysone signalling culminates in the transcriptional activation of the transcription factor Clec-Ftz-F1 that possibly controls the expression of 32 of the 42 genes tested. Second, timed expression of Clec-Ftz-F1 seems to depend also on the insulin signalling pathway as RNA interference against transcripts of the insulin receptor delays Clec-Ftz-F1 expression and stage transition. An important observation of our transcript survey is that genes needed for the construction of the three cuticle layers are largely expressed simultaneously. Based on these data, we hypothesise a considerable synchronous mechanism of layer formation rather than a strictly sequential one. Together, this work provides a basis for functional analyses of cuticle formation in C. lectularius.

Public Awareness, Perception, and Knowledge of Bed Bug Infestation Prevalence in Iraq

Background: Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects and are an important urban pest. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects and hide in cracks in walls and beds during the day. The study aims to: (1) determine the bed bugs species that infest Iraq, their infestation source, and their distribution; (2) determine the level of awareness and concern regarding bed bugs among the Iraqi community.
 Methods: Between 2020 and 2021, a survey of bed bug infestation dynamics was conducted in 18 infested sites located in major cities across eight governorates. The 23-item online survey was distributed over social media to Iraqi citizens between June and July 2022 to survey on their familiarity with bed bug habitat, medical significance, transmission, pre­vention, control measures, and concerns.
 Results: There were a total of 1104 bed bugs collected. Based on the morphological characteristics, bed bugs collected from eight Iraqi governorates are identified as Cimex hemipterus. Besides, a high rate of bed bug infestation was ob­served in workers' dormitories. The online questionnaire was answered by 1843 respondents and based on the feedback, most respondents (55.3%) have no awareness of bed bug infestations, while around 43.8% are somewhat concerned about bed bug infestations in Iraq.
 Conclusion: Only tropical bed bugs, C. hemipterus were found in all sampled sites. Bed bug infestations are mainly caused by migrant workers and the reuse of second-hand furniture and clothing. The results suggest that the Iraqi gov­ernment should organize more proper demonstrations on bed bug awareness for the public.

Getting rid of bed bugs: Trickier than ever

Getting rid of bed bugs: Trickier than ever

Public and media interest in bed bugs-Europe 2023

In late summer of 2023 bed bug (Cimex lectularius) infestations received much media attention especially from Paris Fashion Week (2023–09–25/2023–10–03). Concern in France has grown in recent years and the public may have been sensitised from the recent release of the report Les punaises de lit: impacts, prévention et lutte from the Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire. Additionally, families returning from summer travel for the start of the school year (2023–09–04) may have brought Cimex spp. with them. A belief, typically false, that they are associated with poor housekeeping and the commercial sensitivity of infestations makes quantitative data on the occurrence and frequency of the insects difficult to find. Often it was based on the number of consultations with physicians and enquiries about bed bugs. Our study has used Google search frequency (Google Trends) to assess the growth and spread of public interest. It found that concern over the Paris outbreak spread to neighbouring countries and was an inverse function of distance. Health issues are a popular topic in science journalism and articles with bad news, threat, continuity and geographic proximity helped generate considerable media activity such that the public perceptions of the problem were enhanced and suggests that government agencies need to collect well standardised data on bed bug occurrence. Google Trends proved a sensitive tool to follow the public concern over an insect that invokes considerable dread.

Bat ectoparasites: chigger mites (Trombiculidae), ticks (Ixodidae and Argasidae), and bugs (Cimicidae) in the Eastern Palaearctic.

Nine species-level taxa of bat ectoparasites, three chigger mites (Trombiculidae), three hard (Ixodidae), and one soft tick (Argasidae) species, as well as two bug (Cimicidae) species from nine bat species hosts were detected in the Eastern Palaearctic. Trombiculid larvae of Leptotrombidium schlugerae, Leptotrombidium album, and Ascoschoengastia latyshevi were first recorded on bats in the temperate zone of eastern Russia. L. schlugerae was more abundant than A. latyshevi in the same study sites in Eastern Siberia, and the main hosts of both chigger species were Plecotus ognevi and Eptesicus nilssonii. Ixodid ticks Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes simplex, and Ixodes sp. were sampled from bats in Kazakhstan, the Far East, and Eastern Siberia, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on Cox1, 16S rDNA, and ITS2 sequences of I. simplex showed that the specimens from the Far East grouped into a clade distributed in the Eastern Palaearctic and India. In turn, the specimen of Ixodes sp. from Eastern Siberia was most closely related to Ixodes soricis and Ixodes angustus with p-distance of 9.8-10.7% (Cox1), suggesting that this tick probably belongs to a new species. Argas vespertilionis larvae were collected from three widespread bat species in Kazakhstan. Two bug species, Cimex pipistrelli and Cimex aff. lectularius, were recorded in the Far East and Eastern Siberia, respectively. Specimens from Transbaikalia were morphologically identified as Cimex lectularius. However, they differed from the latter by 12.5-12.9% of Cox1 sequences, indicating that C. aff. lectularius may be a new species.

Detection, Quantification, and Elimination of Wolbachia in Bed Bugs.

Wolbachia is an obligatory nutritional symbiont of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, providing B-vitamins to its host. The biological significance of Wolbachia to bed bugs is investigated primarily by eliminating the symbiont with antibiotics, which is followed by confirmation with molecular assays. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for eliminating Wolbachia in bed bugs using the ansamycin antibiotic rifampicin (also known as rifampin) and three molecular methods to accurately detect and quantify the Wolbachia gene copies in bed bug samples. We describe the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), a highly sensitive technique for absolute quantification of low abundance target genes, which has proven to be a valuable technique for confirmation of the elimination of Wolbachia.

Population genetic structure of tropical bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) populations and their breeding pattern in Iraq.

A study was conducted to investigate the population genetic structure and breeding pattern of 140 tropical bed bugs, Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), collected from 14 infested sites in major cities in Iraq. The samples were genotyped using a set of 7 polymorphic microsatellite markers. High genetic variety was seen among populations, with an average of 2-9 alleles per locus. The number of alleles across 7 microsatellite loci was between 6 and 18. There was a notable disparity in the alleles per loci when comparing the overall population to those within it. The overall population exhibited an average observed heterozygosity of 0.175 and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.730. Among the population, the average observed heterozygosity was 0.173, while the average expected heterozygosity was 0.673. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 93% of the genetic variability was within the populations, and 7% was among them. The genetic differentiation coefficient (FST = 0.045), indicates a low degree of genetic differentiation and a high degree of inbreeding (FIS = 0.761), as indicated by notably significant positive inbreeding coefficients. Admixed individuals were revealed using STRUCTURE and neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees, demonstrating moderate gene flow between populations and a lack of genetic structure in the regional groups. Thus, both active dispersion and human-mediated dispersion possess the potential to influence the low population genetic structure of tropical bed bug C. hemipterus populations in Iraq, which can have implications toward tropical bed bug and management strategies.

Comparison of Heat Treatments by Floor Heating and Fan Heating for Bed Bug Control

Background: Non-chemical methods are as important as pesticides to control bed bugs. The most effective method is heat treatment. Underfloor heating is widely used in residential buildings in Korea, and the benefits of floor heating can be utilized in heat treatment for bed bug control.Methods: Simulations of indoor air flow and heat transfer were performed to compare and analyze the temperature distributions with different heating methods for bed bug control using floor heating and fan heater methods.Results: Even though the average indoor temperature of floor heating was lower, it was more uniform with floor heating than that of fan heating under the assumed conditions. Local cold spots disappeared with the floor heating method.Conclusions: It was confirmed that floor heating has advantages over fan heating to achive uniform high temperatures during heat treatment for exterminating bed bugs.

Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) infestations in Colombia. Report of two cases

Abstract Introduction: Cimex lectularius (bed bug) is a hematophagous parasite that can be considered as an emergent and neglected concern in Colombia. Due to their increasing importance, the following two clinical cases secondary to a bed bug infestation are presented. Case presentation: Two patients, one male and one female (31 and 30 years old, respectively) went on their honeymoon trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in 2017. During those trips, both patients stayed in the same room in hotels of different categories. Upon their return to Bogotá (Colombia), erythematous lesions and pruritic papules appeared without any apparent explanation, which were associated with intense pruritus and had a clustered and linear (breakfast-lunch-dinner) pattern. During consultation with the Travel Medicine service, a diagnosis of dermatitis due to bed bug infestation was made. With the recommendations given by the medical staff (in which no chemical measures were suggested), the bugs and lesions disappeared. Conclusion: Bed bugs are a public health problem of increasing importance worldwide. This report of two cases presents one of the few published evidences of their presence in Colombia. As both cases are domestic, the relevance of an early diagnosis and a comprehensive approach based on the needs of the patients is demonstrated.

First official report of bed bug (Hemiptera, Cimicidae) infestations in Algeria

BackgroundBed bugs are hematophagous insects with a long history of presence in human communities. Over the last three decades, infestations by bed bugs in human dwellings have drastically increased, leading to a rise in bed bug concerns. Nevertheless, very little is known about the bed bug species and their population diversity in Algeria. MethodA pilot entomological inventory was performed in May 2019 in Tizi Ouzou, in northern Algeria. The gathered bed bug specimens were identified by morphological and molecular approaches, followed by neighbor-joining and network phylogenetic analyses. ResultsA total of seven out of 12 requested locations were allowed to inspect for bed bug infestation. Of these, three locations were found with active bed bug infestations. A total of 145 specimens belonging to different life stages [egg (21), nymph (74), adult male (17), and female (33)] were collected and analyzed using morphological and molecular approaches. The adult specimens were identified as Cimex lectularius according to specific morphological criteria, most importantly the pronotum laterally expanded with more flattened extreme margins. Morphological identification of the adults was confirmed further by conventional PCR targeting 450 bp fragment of the COI gene. All the nymphs and eggs were also molecularly identified as C. lectularius. Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree reconstructed with the collected specimens provides clues on the presence of two closely phylogenetic groups. The first one gathers our samples of Algeria with previously reported COI haplotype sequences from Asian, European, and North American countries. The second group encompasses a lesser-documented haplotype reported in Europe and Central America. These findings were further confirmed by network analysis. ConclusionsThese results provide evidence of established C. lectularius infestation in Algeria and its potential dispersal capacity by travelers or immigrants and will help future management of these ectoparasites.

Complementary homeopathic therapy in the treatment of sleep bruxism

Bruxism is described as an orofacial parafunction that affects children and adults characterized by the habit of grinding or clench our teeth, with complex and multifactorial etiology, as well as your diagnosis and control. Can be considered centric when the habit of squeezing the teeth occurs semi-conscious and action is called day or Vigil (BV) and eccentric when the gnashing of teeth and unconscious action called Nightcrawler or (BS). Like homeopathy (H) aims to restore the balance of the vital energy of the patient allowing the motion of the body's healing the objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic medicines (Cimex lectularius and Matricaria chamomilla), concurrent with the conventional therapy for an alternative in the control of bruxism. Material and methods the sample was constituted of 60 patients with different social backgrounds, of both genders aged from 18 to 60 years who responded to questionnaires and passed through oral clinical examination with positive response to bruxism.   Were divided into test group (GT) 30 subjects treated with interoclusais acrylic plates associated with homeopathic medicines and the control group (GC) 30 individuals have used interoclusais plates more placebo ( homeopathic medicines without the active) for a total period of 06 (six) months, were evaluated monthly for checking the reduction of signs and symptoms of bruxism. Was concluded the effectiveness of homeopathic therapy as an adjunct to conventional treatment with interoclusais board, easing pain disorders and dental damage caused by bruxism.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenously and trans-dermally administered fluralaner in healthy laying shaver hens: fluralaner in chickens

Ectoparasite infestations negatively affect both backyard and commercial chicken flocks in the United States. Fluralaner is an isoxazoline shown to be efficacious in treating mite and bed bug infestations in poultry. Fluralaner is approved to treat fleas and ticks in dogs and cats in the United States and to treat mite infestations of chickens in Europe and Australia; however, the use of fluralaner in poultry is not yet approved in the United States. This study aimed to investigate the plasma fluralaner pharmacokinetic profile of intravenous and transdermal routes and apparent bioavailability of fluralaner administered trans-dermally in healthy shaver hens. A total of 12 individually housed healthy shaver hens received a single dose of either intravenous technical grade fluralaner at 0.5 mg/kg, or transdermal fluralaner (Bravecto (fluralaner transdermal solution) for dogs, 280 mg/mL, Merck Animal Health) at mean 58.7 mg/kg. Plasma from each hen was collected from the jugular, ulnar, or medial metatarsal vein at multiple intervals. Fluralaner concentrations in plasma were determined using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/MS). Noncompartmental analysis revealed that the geometric mean elimination half-life for intravenous and transdermal routes were 80.5 and 179.6 h, respectively. The geometric mean apparent bioavailability of transdermal routes was estimated as 3.4%. Prolonged fluralaner concentration in plasma above minimum inhibitory concentration of bed bugs following the single dose was observed in healthy shaver hens for both routes. It is important to understand the pharmacokinetic profile could be useful in determining the appropriate treatment strategy.

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of tropical bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) infestation from different regions of Iraq

Bed bug concerns have increased over the past three decades due to a sharp rise in bed bug infestations in human dwellings. Unfortunately, there is little information available regarding the population of bed bugs across Iraq, and no studies have been conducted on genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of bed bugs in Iraq. Hence, this study aims to determine the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of bed bugs collected from major cities in Iraq utilizing partial gene sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I (CO1) and 16S ribosomal RNA 16S rRNA. A total of 1041 bed bug specimens representing various life stages were collected from 18 infested sites across eight of Iraq governorates. Based on the width-to-height ratio of the pronotum, most of the samples were provisionally identified as Cimex hemipterus. The 16S rRNA and CO1 genes that were very similar to C. hemipterus sequences (90–100 % similarity) on BLAST was applied to determine species identity. The 16S rRNA and CO1 gene sequence generated from samples collected in the study exhibited high similarity (90–100 %) to C. hemipterus sequences on BLAST. For constructing phylogenies, maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining algorithms were used. The sequences obtained clustered with C. hemipterus reference sequences retrieved from GenBank confirmed the species identification as C. hemipterus with bootstrap values of 100 % for the CO1 gene and 99 % for the 16SrRNA gene. Furthermore, low genetic diversity was determined among Iraq's bed bug populations. In summary, this study offers molecular demographic knowledge on bed bugs infestation in Iraq for more effective management in future.