Ability of bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) defensive secretions (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal to attract adults of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius

Accurate and timely surveillance of bed bug infestations is critical for the development of effective control strategies. Although the bed hug-produced volatiles (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal are considered as defensive secretions, the present study demonstrates, using ETHOVISION (R) video-tracking software (Noldus Information Technology Inc., Leesburg, Virginia), that low amounts of these commercially-obtained aldehydes function as attractants, and high amounts function as local repellents, against the common bed bug Cimex lectularius L. In behavioural assays, both males and female C. lectularius are attracted to 0.04 mu g of an aldehyde blend (1:1) for up to 1 h after initial treatment of filter paper disks. Males differ from females in their response to higher amounts of aldehydes, with females and males exhibiting maximum local repellency at 40 mu g and 400 mu g, respectively. The results suggest that these bed bug secretions may be candidates for lures and monitors.