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Reproductive Behavior in the Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius)

Harrison, Scott Atlee
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452251747

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology.
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has resurged in the last 20 years, renewing interest in understanding the biology of this pest. Although much is known about chemical communication in bed bugs, there have been no studies on sexual selection in this species. In this thesis, I have explored reproductive behavior and the possibility of sexual selection in bed bugs and conducted four behavioral experiments to determine I) where bed bugs are most likely to mate, II) how feeding and mating status influence female attraction to harborages, III) the effect of male feeding status on male mating success, and IV) the effects of inbreeding and outbreeding on fitness, and if females exercise mate choice for non-relatives. I found that bed bugs were most likely to mate in a harborage or near the blood feeder than in the open. There was some evidence that feeding status had a positive correlation with harborage attraction. There was a trend for virgin females to be more attracted to harborages than mated females, but it was not statistically significant. Replete (fed) female bugs may be seeking refuge to digest and oviposit while virgin females may be seeking mating opportunities at the harborage. Replete males were less likely to successfully mate than unfed males due to their large body size and inability to properly mounting a female. I did not find any evidence for inbreeding depression, but did find considerable variation in fitness between two laboratory strains. As I did not find inbreeding depression it stands to reason that bed bugs do not preferentially mate with non-related partners.
Susan Gershman (Advisor)
64 p.
Ecology; Entomology; Evolution and Development

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Harrison, S. A. (2016). Reproductive Behavior in the Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius) [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452251747

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Harrison, Scott. Reproductive Behavior in the Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius). 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452251747.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Harrison, Scott. "Reproductive Behavior in the Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius)." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452251747

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1452251747
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.