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Scientists discover new weapon in fight against bedbugs

An anti-aphrodisiac confuses the bugs and hinders mating.

By Katherine ButlerThu, Sep 09 2010 at 2:19 PM EST
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Bedbug nymph feeds on a host. MUNCH: Bedbug nymph feeds on a host. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Bedbugs are swiftly becoming the bane of humanity, plaguing homes, offices, movie theaters and malls alike. But the fight against the red and brown bloodsuckers has gained a new weapon. E! ScienceNews reports that researchers in Sweden have discovered immature bedbugs release a pheromone to dissuade adult males from mating with them. Scientists say the findings can be applied towards a solution to the bedbug dilemma.
 
When bedbugs mate, they do so by “traumatic insemination.” As the female lacks a genital opening, the male pierces her abdomen with his hypodermic genitalia to leave his sperm in her abdominal cavity. And because male bedbugs don’t discriminate between partners, they will climb on top of the nearest comrade — be it male or sexually immature. In these situations, they fatally wound the unsuspecting recipient of their amorous advances.
 
Luckily for bedbugs, nature has developed an alarm system to defend against unwanted embraces. When a male bedbug approaches a sexually immature nymph or male bedbug, the insect releases pheromones to let the male know he should find another friend. Vincent Harraca of Lund University in Sweden worked on a study that staged interactions between male and female nymph bugs. As he told E! ScienceNews, “in order to avoid this [unwanted mating], we've found that bedbug nymphs release aldehyde pheromones that let the males know that they should look elsewhere. These results may be applied to decrease bed bug populations by mating disruption.”
 
Harraca and his team prevented the bugs from signaling each other by covering their scent glands with nail polish. These blocked bugs were found to mate as much as mature bugs. If the team applied the pheromone to a male and female during “mounting initiation,” it caused them to mate less frequently. The news may go far in helping experts understand the pesky pest. As Harraca told reporters, "The chemical communication system of the bedbugs is only just unfolding, and further analyses on longevity costs to nymphs as well as males who have been pierced is a high priority to fully understand the picture of traumatic insemination."
 
The bed bug epidemic is nothing new to man or bug. Ancient Romans believed bedbugs were useful in treating snakebites and ear infections. In the 18th century, they were used to treat hysteria. Until the mid-20th century, the bugs were extremely common in homes. It was only the use of the pesticide DDT that led to their relative eradication. But since the ban of the dangerous chemical, the bugs have come back with a vengeance. This latest discovery may contribute to a solution to the infestations sweeping the world.  
 
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Related Topics: Animals, Bed Bugs, Insects

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anonymous
Ja 09/22/2010 12:19 PM

http://help2preventbedbugs.blogspot.com/

anonymous
JA 09/22/2010 12:18 PM

http://help2preventbedbugs.blogspot.com/

anonymous
DusteD 09/12/2010 16:03 PM

"The Bedbug dilemma" ? What dilemma?

anonymous
toad 09/10/2010 13:11 PM

DDT as an agricultural chemical off is possibly dangerous to wild fowl eggs, but as far as I know there is no record of it hurting humans even when applied directly. When the concentration camps were liberated in Germany they dusted everything and everybody with DDT to kill the lice and stop the spread of typhus.

The bed bug problem won't be solved until the bed bugs start spreading something like Ebola or the EPA offices get infested.

anonymous
Dickdintx 11/01/2010 23:56 PM

I agree with what toad says except that the test that showed DDT was dangerous to wild fowl eggs was done before DDT was invented and was only used to get DDT banned. After DDT the population came back in droves. The only problem came when people started using it by the pound instead of the ounce. It is safe and biodegradable and extremely less dangerous than the current pesticides. It is perfectly safe if used as directed and is currently used elsewhere in the world with no problems. It is.... More

anonymous
- 09/10/2010 12:27 PM

bring back DDT

anonymous
Can't we just make our own DDT? 09/22/2010 02:36 AM

Hit em with your shoe?
Asbestos, toxic mold and food-filled
with a ton of harmful pesticides!
What's wr

anonymous
toxic 09/10/2010 11:41 AM

It'd be interesting if there was a pheremone that overpowered the mate jamming one. Perhaps you could use it to cause some kind of massive murder orgy.

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