Bed Bugs and Bat Bugs (Cimicidae and Polyctenidae)

CACERES M; PABLO SANTO ORIHUELA; VASSENA C. V

Insects and Mites

Encyclopedia of Infection and Immunity

Año: 2023; p. 971 - 981

Bed bugs (Cimicidae) and bat bugs (Polyctenidae) are blood-sucking ectoparasites adapted to feed on homoeothermic vertebrates. However, Cimicidae members are temporary parasites with a range of hosts, and the Polyctenidae family is only composed of permanent parasites of bats. Since some bed bugs species live in association with humans, many studies were undertaken for their relevance as urban pests. The host-parasite interaction with humans has a long story signed by several attempts for prevention and control. As a result, failures in control practices and continuous re-infestations were often reported. In the last two decades, the re-emergence of bed bugs Cimex lectularius L. and Cimex hemipterus F. was reported worldwide, and the widespread of insecticide resistance is a significant factor involved in the current increase of infestations. In this scenario, the development of new insecticide …