title: Effects of temperature and humidity on the survival and water loss of Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).
abstract: The effect of temperature and humidity on the survival and water loss of the tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus (F.), was studied using two field-collected strains. Insects were exposed to temperatures ranging from 20 to 45 degrees C and relative humidities (RHs) of 33, 75, and 100%. C. hemipterus survived longest under the interaction of low temperature (20 degrees C) and high RH (75-100%). Survival and water loss were significantly affected (P < 0.01) by temperature and RH (either singly, or in interaction). Strain and sex significantly (P < 0.01) influenced bed bug survival, but not on water loss. Eggs, first instars, and adults reached their upper thermal lethal limit within 1 h at 39 degrees C, 44 degrees C, and 46 degrees C, respectively. The survival and water loss profiles showed that starved C. hemipterus started to die after losing 35-45% of their body weights.
authors.affiliation: Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
authors.forename: Yee-Fatt
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: How
authors.forename: Chow-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001511:Bedbugs / Q000502:physiology*; D006813:Humidity; D013696:Temperature; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000502:physiology*