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The most reputed member
of this group is pictured. Species include:
- The Bed Bug - Cimex
lectularius
- The Martin bug - Oeciacus
hirundinis
- The Pigeon bug - Cimex
columbarius
- The Fly bug - Reduvius
personatus
Discussion here covers only the Bed
Bug. |
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The Bed Bug - Cimex
Lectularius
Image Copyright - Aventis
Environmental Science 1964. Reproduced with kind permission of Aventis Environmental
Science.
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Class: |
Insecta |
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Order: |
Hemiptera |
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Family: |
Various |
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The bed bug is an important public
health pest, having worldwide distribution, and feeding on human
hosts while they sleep is characterized as one of the more unpleasant
pests. |
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Mating takes place away
from the host, the female attaching up to 200 eggs to the
structure in small numbers . Temperatures above 10�c must
be available for hatch. Nymphal stages resemble adults, and pass
through approx 5 moults before reaching adulthood (6 - 18
mo). All nymphal stages feed on mammalian blood. |
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Where appropriate and
permitted, treatment of local structure with a residual
insecticide may be required. Disposal or sterilisation of mattresses
and bed coverings is advisable. Survey and treatment should
pay particular attention to: bed frames, skirting board, wall
switches and all cracks and crevices. |
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