Trophic interactions are often studied within habitat patches, but among-patch dispersal of individuals may influence local patch dynamics. Metacommunity concepts incorporate the effects of dispersal on local and community dynamics. There are few experimental tests of metacommunity theory using insects compared to those conducted in microbial microcosms. Using connected experimental mesocosms, ...

Vol. 15 No. 11–12 215 5. Brown AFT, Hamilton DL. Tick bite anaphylaxis in Australia. J Accid Emerg Med 1998; 15(2): 111–3. 6. Gauci M, Loh RKS, Stone BF, Thong YH. Allergic reactions to the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus: diagnostic evaluation by skin test and radioimmunoassay. Clin Exp Allergy 1989; 19: 279–83. 7. Kemp A. Tick bites. Med J Aust 1986; 144: 615. 8. Grattan-Smith PJ...

Developing effective alternative approaches for disinfesting bed bugs from residential spaces requires a balance between obtaining complete insect mortality, while minimizing costs and energy consumption. One method of disinfestation is the application of lethal high temperatures directly to rooms and contents within a structure (termed whole-room heat treatments). However, temperature and time...

In the course of several trips to Argentina I had the opportunity of collecting specimens of Acrorbis petricola Odhner,1937, Biomphalaria orbignyi Paraense, 1975, B. peregrina (Orbigny, 1835), B. tenagophila (Orbigny, 1835) Lymnaea viatrix Orbigny, 1835, Antillorbis nordestensis (Lucena, 1954), B. intermedia (Paraense & Deslandes, 1962), B. oligoza Paraense, 1974, B. straminea (Dunker, 1848), D...

OBJECTIVE To share four Canadian cities' experiences with bed bug infestations and to explore public health roles in managing them. METHODS We summarize presentations from a workshop at the 2010 Canadian Public Health Association Conference which examined the re-emergence of bed bugs in Canada and compared management approaches of municipal and public health authorities in four large Canadian...

Extracts of the exuviae (cast skins) of nymphal bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) were analyzed for volatile compounds that might contribute to arrestment of adult bed bugs. Four volatile aldehydes, (E)-2-hexenal, 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal were consistently detected in the headspace of freshly shed exuviae regardless of the developmental stages from which the exuvia...

Host location in bed bugs is poorly understood. Of the primary host-associated cues known to attract bed bugs - CO2, odors, heat - heat has received little attention as an independent stimulus. We evaluated the effects of target temperatures ranging from 23 to 48°C on bed bug activation, orientation and feeding. Activation and orientation responses were assessed using a heated target in a circu...