A preliminary evaluation of the potential of Beauveria bassiana for bed bug control

Residual biopesticide treatments of Beauveria bassiana were tested against the bed bug Cimex lectularius. An oil formulation of conidia was applied to different substrates. Bed bugs were exposed for 1 h, transferred to an unsprayed environment and monitored for mortality. Separate bioassays evaluated the effect of bed bug strain, sex, life stage, and exposure substrate on mortality. Rapid mortality was observed in all bioassays, with bed bugs exposed to treated jersey knit cotton dying most rapidly. A further assay demonstrated efficient autodissemination of conidia from exposed bed bugs to unexposed bed bugs within artificial harborages.

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► Beauveria bassiana used in this study proved to be pathogenic to bed bugs.
► B. bassiana was effective regardless of feeding status, sex, and strain.
► Jersey cotton provided a slightly faster rate of kill than paper substrate.
► Horizontal transfer of conidia is conferred via contact with infected individuals.