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Resistance to dehydration between bouts of blood feeding in the bed bug
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 20 2007 9:34:34
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More info found.
Dan
Resistance to dehydration between bouts of blood feeding in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is enhanced by water conservation, aggregation, and quiescence.
Benoit JB, Del Grosso NA, Yoder JA, Denlinger DL.
Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. benoit.8@osu.edu
To determine how the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, survives in a dry environment for many months without feeding, water-balance characteristics were compared for all stages from first-instar nymphs to adults. This species is characterized by a low net transpiration rate averaging < 0.2%/h, high tolerance for dehydration (30-40% loss in body water), and an impermeable cuticle as indicated by a high critical transition temperature (CTT) in the 35-40 degrees C range, implying that this insect is adapted for desiccation-hardiness. The capacity of adults to survive for 2 weeks at 0.00a(v) (a(v) = % RH/100) with no access to food or water exemplifies this trait. In contrast to more mature stages, first-instar nymphs contain more water, lose water at a faster rate, experience abrupt water loss at a lower temperature, and survive less time in dry air, suggesting that this stage is the most sensitive to water stress. This insect relies on blood to replenish water stores; none of the stages examined have the capacity to absorb water vapor (critical equilibrium activity, CEA > or = 0.99a(v)), and they drank only sparingly when offered free water. As the bed bugs progress through their development, they gradually reduce their water requirements while increasing their desiccation resistance. Surviving water stress is considerably enhanced behaviorally by quiescence, characterized by prolonged periods of inactivity, and by the formation of clusters that generate a water-conserving group effect.
PMID: 17488928 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] -
Does any one know why bed bugs decide to go into quiescence? How long will it try to find a meal before giving up and hibernating? I'm just wondering if I've got bugs that have given up on biting me in my isolated bed and are just hiding away in the walls.
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bbto
From what I understand, they're likely to go into hiding or disperse in this way if you misuse pesticides. DIY bombs and foggers, as well as overuse of certain sprays and dusts, can apparently have this effect.
Of course, people often also "seal up" bed bugs in sealed bags, where they can survive for a surprisingly long time.
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