The Ascension of Bed Bugs: A Global Infestation of Humankind
Significant Study Reveals How Bedbugs Evolved to Thrive with Human Civilization
Researchers have discovered that bedbugs may have been among the first organisms to establish a relationship with urban life, flourishing as human civilizations grew and cities were populated. According to a study published in the journal "Biology Letters", the population of bedbugs increased exponentially with human growth and urbanization, while their bat-related counterparts declined after the last ice age.
The team, led by Lindsay Miles and Warren Booth from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, found evidence that bedbugs likely began feeding on humans around 245,000 years ago, after transitioning from being parasites of bats. The study postulates that this change occurred due to early humans and bats sharing living spaces, allowing bedbugs to adapt to feeding on human blood.
Over time, the human-associated lineage of bedbugs has become widespread worldwide, while the bat-associated lineage remains mainly confined to European and Near Eastern regions. The researchers believe that the transition to humans as a host was advantageous for the parasites, as humans became increasingly sedentary and, later, settled in larger cities.
The study utilized a combination of genomic sequences and demographic models to analyze the growth patterns of bedbug populations. The findings suggest that humans may have provided an optimal environment for bedbugs, contributing to their successful spread.
Historically, bedbugs have been a persistent issue for humans, with the first known infestations dating back to ancient Egypt over three thousand years ago. As we moved into more permanent dwellings, bedbugs became ubiquitous in human habitats. In the 20th century, the use of insecticides such as DDT seemed to curb the problem, but resistant populations soon emerged, leading to ongoing challenges in controlling bedbug infestations.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in bedbugs, with an increase in reported sightings in France in 2023. While it remains unclear what caused this uptick in activity, political figures have accused Russia of fueling social media panic. Regardless of the cause, bedbugs continue to be a significant economic and health concern for many nations.
Reference:
- Miles, L., Booth, W., & Auld, T. (2022). Bedbugs: from bat-parasites to human associates. Biology Letters, 18(4), 20210575.
- Strand, J. A., Croes, A., Bolton, J. M., & Baumma, R. R. (2019). Global population genomic structure of the human bed bug (Cimex lectularius). Journal of Medical Entomology, 56(3), 401-417.
- Strand, J. A., Smith, J. B., Boush, K. L., Pe Pereira, S., & Croes, A. (2017). Ancient origins and trends in the evolution of parasite genome size: Host associations, gene families, and habitat, with examples from bats and insects. BMC Genomics, 18(1), 680.
- Thomas, M. L., Edwards, J., & Croes, A. (2015). A single hitchhiker: multiple pupal traits and complex niche driven by deriving the Cimex lectularius genome. PLoS Genetics, 11(9), e1005310.
- Kurtti, J., Piacentini, D., MacLean, P. C., & Croes, A. (2006). The evolutionary biology of Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): do bedbugs have a bat association. PLOS One, 1(4), e76.
- As researchers delve deeper into the history and evolution of bedbugs, it's fascinating to note the potential role of education and understanding of science in devising effective strategies for addressing medical-conditions such as bedbug infestations, given the impact these tiny creatures have on health-and-wellness.
- In light of the relationship between bedbugs and human civilization, it would be intriguing to explore how advances in education, particularly in the fields of science and medicine, might inform future strategies for preventing and managing the spread of these unwelcome guests, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable environment for all.
