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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #378800
Research Project: Ticks and Human Health

Location: Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory

Title: Characterizing the repellencies of methyl benzoate and its analogs against the common bed bug Cimex lectularius

Author
item STRICKLAND, JAIME - Towson University
item Larson, Nicholas
item Feldlaufer, Mark
item Zhang, Aijun

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2022
Publication Date: 11/17/2022
Citation: Strickland, J., Larson, N.R., Feldlaufer, M.F., Zhang, A. 2022. Characterizing the repellencies of methyl benzoate and its analogs against the common bed bug Cimex lectularius. Journal of Economic Entomology. 13(11):1060. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13111060.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13111060

Interpretive Summary: Bed bug behavior is often overlooked, when bed bug control agents are discovered. In this report, we evaluate a botanical compound and its analogs for behavioral action on the common bed bug, and now report it has repellent action. This information is useful for travelers not wanting to unwittingly bring bed bugs home from a overnight stay, and for industry designing repellent products against bed bugs.

Technical Abstract: The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L ., is a pest with a long history of being a household nuisance. Due to their affinity for linens, clothing, luggage, and their ability to survive unfed for several months, they are easily transmitted and often difficult to detect. Once an infestation is present, extermination can be difficult, costly, and time consuming, making prevention measures a valuable investment. In this paper video tracking software was used to record spatial behavior of bed bugs when exposed to nine analogs of methyl benzoate, a compound previously shown to exhibit repellent properties against C. lectularius. We now report that methyl 2-methoxybenzoate and methyl 3-methoxybenzoate exhibit higher effect and extended durational repellency than the parent compound, thus making these promising candidates for further research into bed bug prevention.