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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2020) | Viewed by 29562

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alvaro Romero

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Guest Editor

Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Interests: bed bugs; scorpions

Dr. Dong-Hwan Choe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
Interests: bed bugs; ants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus, have reestablished themselves as key urban and community pests throughout the world after decades of relative obscurity. Bed bug infestations are expected to increase in the coming years, presenting many challenges to the pest control industry and to the research community. This Special Issue will report recent discoveries in the field of bed bug biology as well as the utilization of this knowledge to develop new solutions and management of bed bugs.

Dr. Alvaro Romero
Dr. Dong-Hwan Choe
Guest Editors

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Keywords

bed bugs
Cimex sp.
biology
behavior
insecticide resistance
management
integrated pest management
non-chemical control

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Chemical Insecticide Residues and Household Surface Type on a Beauveria bassiana-Based Biopesticide (Aprehend^®) for Bed Bug Management

by Ikkei Shikano, Giovani S. Bellicanta, Simona Principato and Nina E. Jenkins

Insects 2021, 12(3), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030214 - 3 Mar 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4495

Abstract

The biopesticide Aprehend, containing spores of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, is a biological control agent for the management of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). The spores are applied in strategically placed barriers, which bed bugs walk across as they search for a bloodmeal. Application of chemical insecticides by the general public and professional pest managers is common, which means that Aprehend may be sprayed on existing insecticide residues. We evaluated the effect of chemical residues, of 22 different chemical insecticides on different household surface types. We found that residues from 12 chemical pesticides significantly reduced spore viability measured 5 weeks after application in comparison to the control. However, efficacy of Aprehend, as measured by bed bug mortality and mean survival time after exposure to sprayed surfaces, seven weeks after application was not impacted detrimentally. Furthermore, in some cases, efficacy of old chemical residues was enhanced by the combination of chemical and Aprehend seven weeks after application. Surface type also played a role in the relative efficacy of all products and combinations, particularly as the residues aged. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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12 pages, 1519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Behavioral Responses of the Common Bed Bug to Essential Oil Constituents

by María A. González-Morales, Martín Terán and Alvaro Romero

Insects 2021, 12(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020184 - 21 Feb 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4996

Abstract

Botanical-derived pesticides have arisen as an attractive alternative to synthetic insecticides to effectively manage infestations of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.). While information on contact, residual, and fumigant toxicity of plant-essential oils against bed bugs have been recently published, there is a gap of information regarding the repellent activity of these products and their constituents. Identification of essential oil constituents (EOCs) with repellent activity will help develop potentially efficacious essential oil-based formulations for use in bed bug management programs. In this study, we first screened fresh and 24 h-aged residues of geraniol, eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, citronellic acid, linalool, menthone, trans-cinnamaldehyde, α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene for avoidance behavior from individual bed bugs with a video-tracking system. Six EOCs, geraniol, eugenol, citronellic acid, thymol, carvacrol, and linalool were further evaluated overnight in choice tests to determine whether 24-h aged residues were still avoided by groups of bed bugs. While bed bugs avoided resting on filter papers treated with 24-h aged residues of geraniol, eugenol, citronellic acid, and carvacrol, bed bugs aggregated in areas treated with linalool-aged residues. Barriers of EOCs did not prevent bed bugs from reaching a warmed blood source and acquiring blood meals. Our results show that novel formulations of natural product insecticides that include geraniol, eugenol, carvacrol, or citronellic acid have potential to repel bed bugs. The presence of host-associated cues might interfere with these responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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20 pages, 3679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magnitude and Spread of Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) throughout Ohio (USA) Revealed by Surveys of Pest Management Industry

by Susan C. Jones

Insects 2021, 12(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020133 - 4 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3634

Abstract

Bed bugs have recently re-emerged as human pests worldwide. In this study, two surveys queried licensed pest management companies in Ohio (Midwest USA) about their experiences managing bed bugs. A primary objective was to assess the magnitude and spread of bed bug infestations statewide based on companies’ treatment records from 2005 and 2011 (first survey) and 2016 (second survey). The survey response rates were 35.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Treatment data from 2005 indicated that Ohio’s bed bug problem likely started in the SW corner of the state in Hamilton County (includes city of Cincinnati), since it totaled five times more treatments (approximately 4500) than second-ranking, centrally located Franklin County (Columbus). In the first half of 2011, more than 15,000 treatments were performed in these two counties. In 2016, treatments reached nearly 38,000 in Franklin County and in NE Ohio in the three combined counties that include Cleveland-Akron-Canton. Bed bug problems expanded statewide during an 11 y period, with an estimated 100+ treatments in 7 counties in 2005, 45 counties in 2011, and nearly all 88 counties in 2016. Apartments/condos and single-family residences comprised the largest share of bed bug work. Residents misused many pesticides and household cleaners trying to eliminate bed bugs. Many also discarded unwrapped infested furniture, which may further spread these bugs. More public education is needed to stop such practices. This study shows that bed bug problems grow and spread quickly; federal, state, and local officials and the public should immediately deal with bed bugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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11 pages, 480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ontogenesis of Aldehyde Pheromones in Two Synanthropic Bed Bug Species (Heteroptera: Cimicidae)

by Mark Dery, Kyle Arriola, Chow-Yang Lee and Dong-Hwan Choe

Insects 2020, 11(11), 759; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110759 - 5 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2203

Abstract

Bed bugs produce volatile aldehydes that have alarm and aggregation functions. Using two synanthropic bed bug species, Cimex lectularius L. and C. hemipterus (Fabricius), developmental changes were examined for (E)-2-hexenal, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal, the four most abundant aldehydes shared between the two species. Quantitative analyses of the aldehydes in the nymphal exuviae indicated that the aldehydes’ ratio remained similar throughout nymphal development. In general, (E)-2-octenal was most abundant, and (E)-2-hexenal and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal were least abundant. The fourth aldehyde, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal, was present in intermediate quantities. The quantities and percent abundances of the aldehydes in nymphal exuviae and the adults were significantly different between C. lectularius and C. hemipterus. The ratio between (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal was determined in adult male and female bed bugs of each species. Adult C. hemipterus had a higher proportion of (E)-2-hexenal than C. lectularius, while no sex differences were found. This work provides the first systematic quantification of four aldehydes [(E)-2-hexenal, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal] for all five of the nymphal stages for both C. lectularius and C. hemipterus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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17 pages, 3337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influences of Exposure Time and Mortality Assessment Interval on Bioassay Results of Insecticide-Resistant Tropical Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

by Xin-Yeng Leong, G. Veera Singham, Alexander Chong Shu-Chien, Stephen L. Doggett and Chow-Yang Lee

Insects 2020, 11(9), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11090640 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3143

Abstract

We evaluated the influences of insecticide exposure time and mortality assessment intervals on the bioassay results of three insecticide-resistant tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (F.) populations (Madam Mo, Tanjong Tokong, and Green Lane). This was achieved using the surface contact method and tested with six commercial insecticide products: Tandem, Temprid SC, Pesguard FG161, Sumithrin, Sumithion, and Phantom applied at label rate on glass petri dishes. Six exposure times (5 min, 10 min, 30 min, 1 h, 4 h, and continuous exposure for 4 or 14 days for Phantom) were tested. A susceptible common bed bug Cimex lectularius L. strain (Monheim) was used as the reference strain as no susceptible C. hemipterus strain exists. In treatment with Temprid SC, the Tanjong Tokong strain showed significantly higher KT₅₀ values at 5, 10, and 30 min exposures than 1 h, 4 h, and continuous exposures. When all resistant populations were evaluated at continuous exposure to Sumithion, they demonstrated moderate resistance levels (RR₅₀ ranged from 6.0 to 7.9), while KT₅₀ and KT₉₅ of other shorter exposure times failed to be generated due to low knockdown rate. Higher mortalities were observed in Tanjong Tokong and Green Lane strains when tested at longer exposure times with Temprid SC, Pesguard FG161, Sumithrin, Sumithion, and Phantom. Better killing effect was observed in the treatment with Temprid SC (Tanjong Tokong and Green Lane strains), Pesguard FG161 (Tanjong Tokong and Green Lane strains), Sumithrin (all C. hemipterus strains), Sumithion (all C. hemipterus strains), and Phantom (all strains tested) at longer mortality assessment intervals. We demonstrated that insecticide exposure time and mortality assessment interval could potentially affect outcomes of product performance evaluations, resulting in underestimation or overestimation of insecticide resistance levels in field populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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11 pages, 354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of a Non-Chemical Compared to a Non-Chemical Plus Silica Gel Approach to Bed Bug Management

by Salehe Abbar, Changlu Wang and Richard Cooper

Insects 2020, 11(7), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070443 - 14 Jul 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3969

Abstract

Bed bug resistance to commonly used pesticide sprays has led to exploring new pesticides and other strategies for bed bug management. Non-chemical methods are effective in bed bug management; however, they do not provide residual protection. Compared to insecticide sprays, dust formulations are considered to provide longer residual control. We evaluated two bed bug management programs in apartment buildings. A building-wide inspection was initially conducted to identify bed bug infested apartments. Selected apartments were divided into two treatment groups: non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment (10 apartments) and non-chemical treatment (11 apartments). After initial treatment, apartments were re-visited monthly for up to 6 months. During each visit, the total bed bug count per apartment was obtained by examining interceptor traps placed in the apartments and conducting a visual inspection. Mean bed bug count was reduced by 99% and 89% in non-chemical plus silica gel dust and non-chemical treatment, respectively. Non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment caused significantly higher bed bug count reduction than the non-chemical treatment at 6 months. Bed bugs were eradicated from 40% and 36% of apartments treated with non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment and non-chemical treatment, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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13 pages, 1506 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Synergistic Toxicity Interactions between Plant Essential Oil Components against the Common Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius L.)

by Sudip Gaire, Michael E. Scharf and Ameya D. Gondhalekar

Insects 2020, 11(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020133 - 19 Feb 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6159

Abstract

Management of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) necessitates the use of multiple control techniques. In addition to synthetic pesticides and mechanical interventions, plant-derived essential oils represent one of the control options. Mixtures of two or more essential oil components (monoterpenoids) exhibit synergistic toxicity effects against insects due to increased cuticular penetration. Monoterpenoids, such as carvacrol, eugenol and thymol, are neurologically active and inhibit the nerve firing activity of C. lectularius. However, the effects of mixtures of these monoterpenoids on their toxicity and neuroinhibitory potential against C. lectularius are not known. In this study, the toxicity levels of a tertiary mixture of carvacrol, eugenol and thymol (1:1:1 ratio) and a binary mixture of synthetic insecticides, bifenthrin and imidacloprid (1:1 ratio) were evaluated against C. lectularius through topical bioassays and electrophysiology experiments. Both a mixture of monoterpenoids and the mixture of synthetic insecticides exhibited synergistic effects in topical bioassays. In electrophysiology experiments, the monoterpenoid mixture led to greater neuroinhibitory effects, whereas a mixture of synthetic insecticides caused higher neuroexcitatory effects in comparison to single compounds. This study shows evidence for neurological mechanisms of synergistic interactions between monoterpenoids and provides information regarding the utilization of natural compound mixtures for C. lectularius management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Management of Bed Bugs)

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