NCBI ROFL: What does bed bug sex smell like?

Discoblog
By ncbi rofl
Dec 18, 2012 2:37 AMNov 20, 2019 2:57 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Real-Time Measurement of Volatile Chemicals Released by Bed Bugs during Mating Activities "In recent years, bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) problems have increased dramatically in many parts of the world, leading to a renewed interest in their chemical ecology. Most studies of bed bug semiochemicals have been based on the collection of volatiles over a period of time followed by chemical analysis. Here we present for the first time, a combination of proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry and video analysis for real-time measurement of semiochemicals emitted by isolated groups of bed bugs during specific behavioural activities. The most distinct peaks in the proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry recordings were always observed close to the termination of mating attempts, corresponding to the defensive emissions that bed bugs have been suspected to exploit for prevention of unwanted copulations. The main components of these emissions were (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal recorded in ratios between 1:3 and 3:1. In the current study, the quantity varied over 1000 fold for both of the compounds with up to 40 µg total release in a single emission. Males also emit defensive compounds due to homosexual copulation attempts by other males, and no significant differences were observed in the ratio or the amount of the two components released from males or females. In summary, this study has demonstrated that combining proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry with video analysis can provide detailed information about semiochemicals emitted during specific behavioural activities."

Photo: flickr/louento.pix

Related content: Discoblog: NCBI ROFL: Chest waxers beware: body hair protects against bedbugs. Discoblog: NCBI ROFL: Traumatic insemination and sexual conflict in the bed bug Cimex lectularius. Discoblog: NCBI ROFL: The identification of attractive volatiles in aged male mouse urine.

NCBI ROFL. Real articles. Funny subjects. Read our FAQ

!

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 LabX Media Group