Infestation Pattern and Population Dynamics of the Tropical Bed Bug, Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Based on Novel Microsatellites and mtDNA Markers

Abstract

The tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus (F.), has now emerged as an important public health pest in the tropics. Despite its alarming infestation rate, the information on its population genetics remains scarce. Here, we described the infestation structure and population dynamics of C. hemipterus in the tropics, especially Malaysia and Singapore, based on eight novel microsatellites and two mtDNA markers, including cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA genes. Across populations, microsatellite data revealed high genetic diversity with significant genetic differentiation and restricted gene flow. Analysis within populations revealed evidence of a recent bottleneck. Nonetheless, elevated genetic diversity in nearly all populations suggests that the propagule in C. hemipterus populations were much diverse, distantly related (mean r = 0.373), and not significantly inbred (mean FIS = 0.24) than that observed in Cimex lectularius from previous studies. We observed seven mtDNA haplotypes across the 18 populations studied (Hd = 0.593) and several populations displayed more than one matrilineal descent. The two markers were generally congruent in suggesting a common, genetically diverse (especially at the nuclear region) source population with possibilities of multiple introductions for the bed bug populations in the present study.

Public Awareness, Perception, and Knowledge of Bed Bug Infestation Prevalence in Iraq

“…According to the Iraqi parliament’s Labor and Social Affairs Committee an estimated 1.5 million laborers, including illegal employees, were presented in March 2022 ( 22 ). Furthermore, two studies conducted in Malaysia ( 23 ) and Malaysia and Singapore ( 24 ) indicated that most bed bugs infestation were found in workers’ sleeping areas.…”

Perception, attitudes, and knowledge on infestation and management of bed bugs in major cities of Indonesia: A cross-sectional online survey

“…Indonesia, like the rest of the world, is vulnerable to a bed bug resurgence and the resulting economic losses. In neighboring countries within Southeast Asia, the resurgence and infestation of the tropical bed bug, C. hemipterus have been reported in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand [17,27,28]. Despite their importance, there have been no studies investigating public awareness and perception on bed bug infestations in Indonesia, and publications reporting the incidence of bed bug infestations are scarce [29].…”