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Vision in the common bed bug C imex lectularius L . ( H emiptera: C imicidae): eye morphology and spectral sensitivity
Author(s) -
MCNEILL C. A.,
ALLAN S. A.,
KOEHLER P. G.,
PEREIRA R. M.,
WEEKS E. N. I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/mve.12195
Subject(s) - bed bug , cimex lectularius , biology , hemiptera , spectral sensitivity , sensitivity (control systems) , morphology (biology) , electrophysiology , zoology , wavelength , ecology , neuroscience , optics , engineering , physics , electronic engineering
Bed bugs as pests of public health importance recently experienced a resurgence in populations throughout the U.S . and other countries. Consequently, recent research efforts have focused on improving understanding of bed bug physiology and behaviour to improve management. While few studies have investigated the visual capabilities of bed bugs, the present study focused specifically on eye morphology and spectral sensitivity. A 3‐ D imaging technique was used to document bed bug eye morphology from the first instar through adult and revealed morphological characteristics that differentiate the common bed bug from the tropical bed bug as well as sex‐specific differences. Electrophysiological measurements were used to evaluate the spectral sensitivity of adult bed bugs. Male bed bugs were more responsive than females at some wavelengths. Electrophysiological studies provided evidence for at least one photoreceptor with a spectral sensitivity curve peak in the green (λ max 520 nm) region of the spectrum. The broadened long wavelength portion of the spectral sensitivity curve may potentially indicate another photoreceptor in the yellow–green (λ max 550 nm) portion of the spectrum or screening pigments. Understanding more about bed bug visual biology is vital for designing traps, which are an important component of integrated bed bug management.