Laboratory rearing of Cimex hemipterus F. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) feeding on different types of human blood compositions by using modified artificial feeding system

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of three types of human blood compositions: whole blood, red blood cells and red blood cells mixed with plasma, and determine the suitable blood source that can be used to feed the bed bugs [Cimex hemipterus (C. hemipterus)], in comparison to the direct feeding method.MethodsC. hemipterus were fed with the three types of blood compositions by using an artificial feeding system. Then the number of live and dead individuals as well as the number of adults produced was counted.ResultsRed blood cells caused 72.7% death of C. hemipterus, followed by red blood cells mixed with plasma (52.0%) and whole blood (48.7%). There were significant differences in the number of live individuals after seven weeks of feeding. However, there were no significant differences between the number of live individuals fed on whole blood, red blood cells and red blood cells mixed with plasma after seven weeks.ConclusionsThe components in the blood sources may be the key to their different effects on the growth dynamics of C. hemipterus.