Detection of Reduced Susceptibility to Chlorfenapyr- and Bifenthrin-Containing Products in Field Populations of the Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Abstract

Insecticide resistance is a major impediment for effective control of Cimex lectularius L. Previous resistance detection studies with bed bugs have focused on certain pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, organochlorine, organophosphate, and carbamate insecticides. Within the pyrethroid class, resistance studies have mostly been limited to deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and alpha- and beta-cyfluthrin. The goal of this study was to develop diagnostic concentration bioassays for assessing bed bug susceptibility levels to chlorfenapyr- and bifenthrin-containing products. First, glass vial and filter paper bioassay methods were compared for their utility in susceptibility monitoring. Statistical comparison of toxicity data between bioassays indicated that the vial assay was less confounded by assay susbtrate effects, required less insecticide, and was faster, especially for chlorfenapyr. Next, using vial diagnostic concentrations (LC99) for each insecticide, 10 laboratory-adapted field strains and the Harlan lab-susceptible strain were screened for susceptibility to chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin. The results of this study reveal recent bed bug susceptibility levels to certain chlorfenapyr- and bifenthrin-containing products. Reduced susceptibility was detected in three and five field strains to chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin, respectively. Detection of reduced susceptibility suggests that certain strains may be segregating toward greater chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin resistance. These results merit continuous resistance monitoring efforts to detect chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin susceptibility shifts. Additionally, to reduce insecticide selection pressures and delay resistance development, adoption of integrated bed bug control strategies that combine chemical and nonchemical methods is recommended.

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

“…that has resurged globally in the last two decades as a pest of public health and economic importance [1]. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the resurgence of common bed bugs (hereafter referred to as bed bugs), including increased travel by the public and the evolution of pyrethroid insecticide resistance in field populations [2][3][4][5][6]. More recently, some bed bug populations were shown to be highly resistant to various neonicotinoids [7] and possess reduced susceptibility to pyrrole compounds (i.e., chlorfenapyr) [5].…”

“…Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the resurgence of common bed bugs (hereafter referred to as bed bugs), including increased travel by the public and the evolution of pyrethroid insecticide resistance in field populations [2][3][4][5][6]. More recently, some bed bug populations were shown to be highly resistant to various neonicotinoids [7] and possess reduced susceptibility to pyrrole compounds (i.e., chlorfenapyr) [5]. Difficulty in eliminating resistant bed bug populations demands a multi-faceted pest management approach that utilizes both chemical and non-chemical or alternative treatment options [8][9][10].…”

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) exhibit limited ability to develop heat resistance

“…* Information on the latitude of collection location strains is provided in S2 File** Based on reference Ashbrook et al [14] and Adelman et al [36]***Based on reference Ashbrook et al [14]…”

“…Bed bugs are known to negatively influence humans as their bites can leave behind itchy red welts [1]. Elimination of bed bugs can be costly as it entails application of chemical insecticides and the use of non-chemical control techniques [12–14]. To avoid the challenges associated with locating all insects in an infestation, pesticide label restrictions on where a product can be applied within a residence and the potential for an insecticide resistant population to be present, whole residence heating is used for bed bug elimination [15–18].…”

Sex differences in bedbug nymphs, Cimex lectularius

“…Such efforts include research that requires the laboratory breeding of thousands of animals not only for testing insecticides and critical temperatures (e.g. Ashbrook, Scharf, Bennett, & Gondhalekar, 2017, 2019; Gaire, Scharf, & Gondhalekar, 2019; Puckett, McDonald, & Gold, 2013; Romero, Potter, Potter, & Haynes, 2007), reviewed by Hase, 1930; Usinger, 1966; Feldlaufer, O'Connor, & Ulrich, 2018) but also for screening for novel control targets such as symbionts (Balvín, Roth, Talbot, & Reinhardt, 2018; Goodman, 2018), neuropeptides (Predel, Neupert, Derst, Reinhardt, & Wegener, 2018) or communication molecules (Gries, Zhai, Lewis, Britton, & Gries, 2018). All these targets are closely linked to the two major aspects that alter bedbug physiology, feeding and mating.…”