title: Aggregation responses of Cimex hemipterus F. to semiochemicals identified from their excreta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bedbug Cimex hemipterus lives in cracks and crevices, and shows aggregation activity in the harbourage containing its fecal matter. Limited information is available on the chemicals influencing this aggregation behaviour in C. hemipterus. Possible components responsible for aggregation, if identified and evaluated can be helpful in designing bedbug management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study on the isolation and identification of chemicals from the excreta extract responsible for aggregation has been carried by GC-MS. The compounds identified were evaluated at different concentrations to C. hemipterus and their attraction index was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GC-MS analysis of the excreta extract resulted in identification of 33 different types of semiochemicals such as esters, carboxylic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and other hydrocarbons. Among these 33 compounds of various groups, the carboxylic acid (E)-2-hexenoic acid and the aldehyde (E)-2-hexenal found to elicit highest positive aggregation behavioural response in all the stages followed by hexenal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fecal matter influence the aggregation behaviour in C. hemipterus. (E)-2-hexenoic acid, hexanoic acid, (E)-2-hexenal and hexanal found to exhibit aggregation in various stages of bedbug life cycle. These chemical components can be further exploited for designing and development tool for management of bedbugs.
authors.affiliation: Vector Management Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India.
authors.forename: Murlidhar J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mendki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Parashar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sukumaran
authors.forename: Shri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001511:Bedbugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones