62.Cimex lectularis. Pulex irritans.

Bedbugs / True Bugs (Order: Cimex)

Important species:

• Cimex lectularis – common bedbug
• Cimex hemipterus – tropical bedbug

Vector importance:

• The role of bedbugs in the transmission of human disease is minimal

Morphology of Bedbugs

• Body:
• Oval
• Dorsoventrally flattened
• Chestnut-brown in colour
• Body surface:
• Covered with short, stout, simple or serrated hairs
• Head:
• Prominent compound eyes
• Slender antennae
• Mouthparts:
• Specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts
• Form a long proboscis
• Proboscis flexed backward when not feeding

Life Cycle and Behaviour of Bedbugs

• Feeding:
• Feed mainly at night
• Preferably on humans
• Will feed on small mammals if humans are unavailable
• Behaviour:
• Conceal themselves during the day
• Eggs:
• White, ovoid
• About 1 mm in length
• Have an oblique projecting collar-like ring
• Operculum at anterior end
• Coated with adhesive gelatinous substance
• Hatching:
• Occurs in 4–10 days
• Adult lifespan:
• 6–12 months

Pulex irritans (Flea)

Morphology

• Small, brown, wingless insects
• Size: 2.0–2.5 mm
• Body:
• Laterally compressed
• Head:
• May bear eyes and combs
• Antennae present
• Mouthparts:
• Suctorial (piercing-sucking)
• Thorax:
• Three segmented
• Each segment bears a pair of powerful legs
• Legs terminate in two curved claws
• Feeding:
• Both sexes suck blood

Eggs

• White or cream coloured
• Length: ~0.5 mm

Hosts and Behaviour

• Hosts include:
• Domesticated animals
• Wild animals, especially wild rodents
• Fleas have great leaping power
• Enables easy transfer from host to host