Role of cuticular hydrocarbons in intra-specific communication of Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae: Hemiptera)

MARIANO CÁCERES; PAULA GONZALEZ; PABLO SANTO ORIHUELA; CLAUDIA VASSENA

Valparaiso

Congreso; 5th Congress of the Latin American Association of Chemical Ecology; 2018

Latin American Association of Chemical Ecology

During the last two decades, the upsurge of bed bugs infestations and repeated failure in chemical control practices were reported worldwide. The research efforts should be addressed to develop innovative control tools. In particular, a new approach based on chemical communication of bed bugs could improve an IMP program. In this study, we evaluated the role played by cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) of C. lectularius to mediate their aggregation/attractantbehavior. We hypothesized that CHC are involved in chemotactic recognition between bed bugs. For assessing the effect of cuticular extracts, groups of adults consisted of 8, 16, 32 and 64 individuals (male or female groups) were isolated for 6 days. Then, cold-euthanized groups were placed into vials and covered with dichloromethane (DCM ranging from 20 μl?4 ml, proportionally with a total mass of insects in each group). After 15 min of extraction, the solvent was evaporated and reconstituted with 40 μl of DCM and used for the stimuli test. The experimental arena consisted of a circle filter paper divided into two zones: the treatment zone was impregnated with cuticular extracts and solvent only in the control zone. First-stage nymph and virgin adult (male/female) were released individually and its activity was recorded for 15 minutes using a video-tracking equipment. The measurement of variables that included distance, velocity, and mobility was quantified with EthoVision XT 10.1 software. Results showed a dose-response effect to different extract groups. Whilst a positive preference was observed toward 16 and 32 groups, extracts in upper dose generated avoidance behavior. In all cases, there were no differences between the sexes. Currently, we are performing identification and quantification of chemicals compounds by GC-MS analysis to elucidate the specific CHC involved and evaluate the effectiveness of candidate blend for its usage in bed bug monitoring strategies.