Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2007) 125, 215-219

Eric Siljander, Dan Penman, Harold Harlan and Gerhard Gries (2007)
Evidence for male- and juvenile-specific contact pheromones of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 125 (2), 215-219
Abstract: Males and females of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), have been shown to produce and respond to an aggregation pheromone. We tested whether juvenile C. lectularius also produce and respond to aggregation pheromone, and whether the pheromone is perceived by contact chemoreception. In dual-choice laboratory experiments, juveniles, but not males or females, preferred juvenile-exposed paper discs to control discs. Unlike juveniles, males and females preferred male-exposed paper discs to control discs. Neither juveniles, males, nor females preferred female-exposed discs to control discs. When test stimuli were inaccessible, C. lectularius failed to show any preference. Male- and juvenile-specific contact pheromones may have contrasting functions of marking shelters as safe refugia for development and growth (juveniles) or mate encounter (adults), but result in the same phenomenon, the aggregation of conspecifics.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Gerhard Gries

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cimex lectularius