Mortality, fecundity and development among bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) exposed to prolonged, intermediate cold stress.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) have returned as a nuisance pest worldwide. Their ability to withstand different types of environmental stress should be explored in order potentially to increase the efficiency of control methods.

Results

Immediate and long-term effects of exposure to temperatures from 0 to -10 °C for 1, 2 and 3 weeks are reported. Fifth-instar nymphs and adults were exposed to constant or fluctuating temperatures. Increased cold and extended time yielded higher mortality; nymphs were more resilient than adults at the shorter durations of exposure. At intermediate temperatures, mortality was higher at constant compared with fluctuating temperatures, whereas all individuals died after 3 weeks of exposure to -7 °C. The success among survivors after c

SUBMITTER: Rukke BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5396144 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature