Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of the Airborne Aggregation Pheromone of the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Adults and juveniles of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), return to and aggregate in harborages after foraging for hosts. We tested the hypothesis that the aggregation is mediated, in part, by an airborne aggregation pheromone. Volatiles from experimental C. lectularius harborages were captured on Porapak Q, fractionated by liquid chromatography, and bioassayed in dual-choice, still-air olfactometer experiments. Of 14 compounds with >100 pg abundance in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses of two bioactive fractions, 10 compounds [nonanal, decanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, (2E,4E)-octadienal, benzaldehyde, (+)- and (−)-limonene, sulcatone, benzyl alcohol] proved to be essential components of the C. lectularius airborne aggregation pheromone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, R. P. 1989. Identification of Essential Oils by Ion Trap Mass Spectroscopy. Academic, San Diego, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adolf, S., Poulet, S. A., and Pohnert, G. 2003. Synthesis and biological activity of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes from diatoms. Tetrahedron 59:3003–3008.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aldrich, J. R., Oliver, J. E., Taghizadeh, T., Ferreira, J. T. B., and Liewehr, D. 1999. Pheromones and colonization: reassessment of the milkweed bug migration model (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae: Lygaeinae). Chemoecology 9:63–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benoit, J. B., Del Grosso, N. A., Yoder, J. A., and Denlinger, D. L. 2007. Resistance to dehydration between bouts of blood feeding in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is enhanced by water conservation, aggregation, and quiescence. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 76:987–993.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S. 1996. Semiochemical parsimony in the Arthropoda. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 41:353–374.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boase, C. 2001. Bedbugs: Back from the brink. Pesticide Outlook 12:159–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borden, J. H. 1985. Aggregation pheromones, pp. 257–285, in G. A. Kerkut, and L. I. Gilbert (eds.). Comprehensive Insect Physiology Vol. 9 Pergamon, Oxford, GB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. R., and Brown, M. B. 2005. Between-group transmission dynamics of the swallow bug, Oeciacus vicarius. J. Vector Ecol. 30:137–143.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, J. A. 1992. Optimal fractionation and bioassay plans for isolation of synergistic chemicals: the subtractive-combination method. J. Chem. Ecol. 18:1603–1621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, J. A. 2006. Pheromone component patterns of moth evolution revealed by computer analysis of the Pherolist. J. Anim. Ecol. 75:399–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carayon, J. 1966. Traumatic insemination and the paragenital system, pp. 81–166, in R. L. Usinger (ed.). Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera–Heteroptera). Entomological Society of America, College Park, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doggett, S. L., Geary, M. J., and ussell, R. C. 2004. The resurgence of bed bugs in Australia: with notes on their ecology and control. Environ. Health 4:30–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heise, G. 1988. Zum Transport von Fledermauswanzen (Cimicidae) durch ihre Wirte. Nyctalus 2:469–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishiwatari, T. 1974. Studies on the scent of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) I. Alarm pheromone activity. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 9:153–158.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ishiwatari, T. 1976. Studies on the scent of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) II. Aggregation pheromone activity. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 11:38–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. G. 1941. The ecology of the bed-bug, Cimex lectularius L., in Britain. J. Hyg. 41:345–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jumean, Z., Gries, R., Unruh, T., Rowland, E., and Gries, G. 2005. Identification of the larval aggregation pheromone of codling moth, Cydia pomonella. J. Chem. Ecol. 31:911–924.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kemper, H. 1936. Die Bettwanze und ihre Bekämpfung. Z. Kleintierk. Pelztierk. 12:1–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khrimian, A. 2005. The geometric isomers of methyl-2,4,6-decatrienoate, including pheromones of at least two species of stink bugs. Tetrahedron 61:3651–3657.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krueger, L. 2000. Don’t get bitten by the resurgence of bed bugs. Pest Control 68:58–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, H. Z., and Bar Ilan, A. R. 1971. Assembling and alerting scents produced by the bedbug, Cimex lectularius L. Experientia 27:102–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, H. Z., Levinson, A. R., and Maschwitz, U. 1974a. Action and composition of the alarm pheromone of the bedbug Cimex lectularius L. Naturwissenschaften 61:684–685.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, H. Z., Levinson, A. R., Müller, B., and Steinbrecht, R. A. 1974b. Structure of sensilla, olfactory perception, and behavior of the bedbug, Cimex lectularius, in response to its alarm pheromone. J. Insect Physiol. 20:1231–1248.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood, J. A., and Story, R. N. 1985. Bifunctional pheromone in the first instar of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): its characterization and interaction with other stimuli. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 78:474–479.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lockwood, J. A., and Story, R. N. 1986. Adaptive function of nymphal aggregation in the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Environ. Entomol. 15:739–749.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo, M. G., and Lazzari, C. R. 1996. The spatial pattern of defecation in Triatoma infestans and the role of faeces as a chemical mark of the refuge. J. Insect Physiol. 42:903–907.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo Figueiras, A. N., Kenigsten, A., and Lazzari, C. R. 1994. Aggregation in the haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans: Chemical signals and temporal pattern. J. Insect Physiol. 40:311–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo Figueiras, A. N., and Lazzari, C. R. 1998. Aggregation in the haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans: a novel assembling factor. Physiol. Entomol. 23:33–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loye, J. E. 1985. The life history and ecology of the cliff swallow bug, Oeciacus vicarius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). CORSTOM Ser. Entomol. Méd. Parasitol. 23:133–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marques, F. A., McElfresh, J. S., and Millar, J. G. 2000. Female-produced sex pheromone of the predatory bug Geocoris punctipes. J. Chem. Ecol. 26:2843–2855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marx, R. 1955. Über die Wirtsfindung und die Bedeutung des artspezifischen Duftstoffes bei Cimex lectularius Linné. Z. Parasitenk. 17:41–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mellanby, K. 1939a. Fertilization and egg production in the bed-bug, Cimex lectularius L. Parasitology 31:193–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellanby, K. 1939b. The physiology and activity of the bed-bug (Cimex lectularius) in a natural infestation. Parasitology 31:200–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montes, C., Cuadrillero, C., and Vilella, D. 2002. Maintenance of a laboratory colony of Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) using an artificial feeding technique. J. Med. Entomol. 39:675–679.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morrow, E. H., and Arnqvist, G. 2003. Costly traumatic insemination and a female counter-adaptation in bed bugs. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Biol. Sci. 270:2377–2381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panagiotakopulu, E., and Buckland, P. C. 1999. Cimex lectularius L., the common bed bug from Pharaonic Egypt. Antiquity 73:908–911.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinhardt, K., Naylor, R., and Siva-Jothy, M. T. 2003. Reducing a cost of traumatic insemination: female bedbugs evolve a unique organ. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Biol. Sci. 270:2371–2375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinhardt, K., and Siva-Jothy, M. T. 2007. Biology of the bed bugs (Cimicidae). Annu. Rev. Entomol. 52:351–374.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, C. J., and Patterson, J. W. 1977. Assembly pheromone of Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus nymphs. J. Med. Entomol. 13:727–734.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siljander, E., Penman, D., Harlan, H., and Gries, G. 2007. Evidence for male- and juvenile-specific contact pheromones of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 125:215–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staples, J. K., Krall, B. S., Bartelt, R. J., and Whitman, D. W. 2002. Chemical defense in the plant bug Lopidea robiniae. J. Chem. Ecol. 28:601–615.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, P. A., Sutherland, W. J., and Freckleton, R. P. 1999. What is the Allee effect? Oikos 87:185–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stutt, A. D., and Siva-Jothy, M. T. 2001. Traumatic insemination and sexual conflict in the bed bug Cimex lectularius. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98:5683–5687.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takács, S., and Gries, G. 2001. Communication ecology of webbing clothes moth: evidence for male-produced aggregation signal(s). Can. Entomol. 133:725–727.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usinger, R. L. 1966. Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera–Heteroptera). Entomological Society of America, College Park, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van den Dool, H., and Kratz, P. D. 1963. A generalization of the retention index system including linear temperature-programmed gas-liquid partition chromatography. J. Chromatogr. 2:463–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wertheim, B., Van Baalen, E. A., Dicke, M., and Vet, L. E. M. 2005. Pheromone-mediated aggregation in nonsocial arthropods: an evolutionary ecological perspective. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 50:321–346.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H. 1999. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Harold Harlan for supplying Cimex lectularius and advice on their rearing, Cory Campbell, Thomas Cowan, Christine De Pape, Zaid Jumean, Charlene Wood, and Nathan Woodbury for helping feed the bed bug colony, Zaid Jumean and Eberhard Kiehlmann for reviewing the manuscript, Richard Cooper for observations of wild C. lectularius, all laboratory colleagues for advice throughout the project, and Jocelyn Millar and two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments. The research was supported by a Thelma Finlayson Graduate Entrance Scholarship, a Master of Pest Management Graduate Entrance Scholarship, and a Simon Fraser University Graduate Fellowship to E.S., and by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada—Industrial Research Chair to G.G. with SC Johnson Canada, Pherotech International Inc. and Global Forest Science (GF-18-2007-226; GF-18-2007-227) as the industrial sponsors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Eric Siljander, Regine Gries, Grigori Khaskin & Gerhard Gries

Authors
  1. Eric Siljander
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Regine Gries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Grigori Khaskin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gerhard Gries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerhard Gries.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Siljander, E., Gries, R., Khaskin, G. et al. Identification of the Airborne Aggregation Pheromone of the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius . J Chem Ecol 34, 708–718 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9446-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-008-9446-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation