Cimex Hemipterus
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''Cimex hemipterus'', known as the tropical
bed bug Bed bugs are insects from the genus ''Cimex'' that feed on blood, usually at night. Their bites can result in a number of health impacts including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. Bed bug bites may lead to skin changes ...
, is a species of bed bugs within the ''
Cimicidae The Cimicidae are a family of small parasitic bugs that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They are called cimicids or, loosely, bed bugs, though the latter term properly refers to the most famous member of the family, ''C ...
'' family that primarily resides in tropical climates. However, it has been reported that this species can live in more temperate climates along with the closely related bed bug species ''C. lectularius.'' ''C. hemipterus'' is a hematophagous, obligate parasite of humans. This means that it requires blood meals from their human hosts in order to survive. When bitten, humans experience itchiness, wheals, and lesions around the affected areas on the skin.  This species typically resides in human domiciles within cracks, crevices, or mattresses, and are more prevalent in developing countries. Like other bed bugs, ''C. hemipterus'' is primarily active during the night time.


Morphology

On average, ''C. hemipterus'' is 5.5 millimeters long and 2.5 millimeters wide. This insect has an ovular and flattened body shape. Its head is short, broad, and pointed at the tip. The rounded, black or red colored compound eyes sit laterally on both sides of the head and can be observed from both a top and underside view. A pair of four segmented antennae are found in front of both the compound eyes. The mouthparts of ''C. hemipterus'' are made for piercing skin and sucking blood from their host. In accordance to this, the three segmented labium is long and "straw like" and the maxilla and mandible are both observed to be "blade like". The thorax of ''C. hemipterus'' is three segmented, containing the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. The prothorax is about twice as long wide as it is long, and is much larger and prominent than the head (which sits in the middle of it), and both the meso- and meta- thorax. Compared to ''C. lectularius, C. hempiterus'' is observed to have a slightly narrower prothorax. This species has an eight segmented abdomen that is rounded and has a pointed tip, which contains short tufts of hair that stick out. Color varies for this species based on whether it has recently consumed a blood meal. If it hasn't had a blood meal, it displays a pale-brown color. If it has recently had a blood meal, it displays a reddish color. Slight differences exist between sexes of ''C. hemipterus''. Females are typically larger than males and contain a more rounded abdomen tip, unlike the pointed tip that are seen in males.


Life cycle

''Cimex hemipterus'' exhibits a hemimetabolous life cycle, which means the insect goes through multiple nympal life stages, where their body shape and feeding behavior closely resembles that of the adult stage. The eggs of ''C. hemipterus'' have been known to hatch anywhere from 4-12 days after being laid. This species goes through five nymphal stages before developing into an adult, with each stage of nymphs being involved in human blood-feeding. The first four nymphal stages each go through an average development time of 3-4 days, while the fifth nymphal stage develops in 4-5 days. Compared to ''C. lectularius'', ''C. hemipterus'' goes through slightly longer developmental phases. Adults can live anywhere from 6-12 months, with females typically living longer than males.


Insecticide resistance

Following widespread use of DDT in the 20th century, DDT resistance among ''C. hemipterus'' has been reported among populations in tropical and subtropical regions. This has caused re-emergences of widespread ''C. hemipterus'' infestations in countries in the southern hemisphere, such as Australia and Sri Lanka. Resistance to pyrethroids has also been reported.


Medical importance

The primary medical concern associated with ''C. hemipterus'' is associated with the skin. When biting their hosts, they inject saliva containing a variety of components. These components include anesthetics, vasodilating compounds, and anticoagulants. These factors act to continue blood flow to the bitten area and ensure the host does not feel the bite. These bites lead to skin lesions and itchiness, which is a nuisance to humans. While bedbugs are not known for being biological vectors of disease, there is evidence to suggest they can be vectors of ''
Trypanosoma cruzi ''Trypanosoma cruzi'' is a species of parasitic euglenoids. Among the protozoa, the trypanosomes characteristically bore tissue in another organism and feed on blood (primarily) and also lymph. This behaviour causes disease or the likelihood o ...
,'' a protist that causes
Chaga's disease Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by ''Trypanosoma cruzi''. It is spread mostly by insects in the subfamily ''Triatominae'', known as "kissing bugs". The symptoms change over the cour ...
in humans.


References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q29583426 Bed bug Cimicidae Household pest insects Parasitic bugs Insects described in 1803