News Release

New technology decodes chemical messages sent by bed bugs

Combining 2 methods provides a real-time view of bedbug chemical signals

Peer-Reviewed Publication

PLOS

Feeding Bedbug

image: This is a bedbug feeding on human. view more 

Credit: Credit: Ole Kilpinen; Usage restrictions: Request permission from <a href="mailto:ole.kilpinen@agrsci.dk">ole.kilpinen@agrsci.dk</a>

Bed bugs exchange specific chemical signals corresponding to particular behaviors, and researchers have now combined two unusual technologies to sniff out these signals in a matter of seconds. The results are published December 5 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Ole Kilpinen and colleagues from Aarhus University, Denmark, and reveal previously unknown aspects of bed bug lifestyles and mating behaviors.

Previous studies of bedbug chemical signals have been based on the collection and analysis of volatile chemicals they secrete over a period of time. In this new research, the authors tracked the changes in secreted volatile compounds using video imaging and improved gas analyzers, and found distinct increases in different chemicals depending on the bugs' activity. For example, they found that two compounds were emitted as defense from unwanted mating attempts by both female and male bugs. They also found large variations in the chemicals secreted by the bugs in individual emissions, which the authors suggest emphasizes the need for such real-time tracking technology rather than testing samples collected over long periods of time.

###

Citation: Kilpinen O, Liu D, Adamsen APS (2012) Real-Time Measurement of Volatile Chemicals Released by Bed Bugs during Mating Activities. PLoS ONE 7(12):e50981. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050981

Financial Disclosure: The study was financed by a grant from the Faculty of Agricultural Science, Aarhus University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interest Statement: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.