bat bug
{{Short description|Parasitic insects that feed on bat blood}}
Bat bugs are parasitic blood-sucking insects that feed primarily on the blood of bats – their hosts. The name has been applied to members of the family Cimicidae (e.g. Cimex lectularius, Afrocimex constrictus) and also to members of the family Polyctenidae.{{cite news
| author = David R. Horton
| title = Minute Pirate Bugs (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)
| work = Encyclopedia of Entomology
| publisher = Springer Science+Business Media
| editor = John L. Capinera
| date =
| accessdate = 20 December 2011
| url = http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/53520000/Scientist_Publications/Horton/Horton_10-19-09_Horton2008EncyclopediaEntomol.pdf
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101226071600/http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/53520000/Scientist_Publications/Horton/Horton_10-19-09_Horton2008EncyclopediaEntomol.pdf
| archive-date = 26 December 2010
| url-status = dead
}} Bat bugs are closely related to bed bugs, and are so similar in appearance that they are often mistaken for bed bugs. Microscopic examination is needed to distinguish them. Bat bugs will also bite humans if given the opportunity.{{cite web
| last = Jones
| first = Susan C.
| author2 = Kyle K. Jordan
| url = http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2105a.html
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20071001163006/http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2105a.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 2007-10-01
| title = Bat Bugs
| work = Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
| publisher = Ohio State University
| accessdate = 2007-09-22
}}
Bat bug species include:
- African bat bug (Afrocimex constrictus)
- Eastern bat bug (Cimex adjunctus)
Anatomy
Infestations
Bat bugs are moderately common in the midwest US and have been recorded in Scotland, and are found in houses and buildings that harbor bats. Infestations in human dwellings are usually introduced by bats carrying the bugs on their skin. Bat bugs usually remain close to the roosting locations of bats (attics, chimneys, etc.) but explore the rest of the building if the bats leave or are eliminated. In some cases, they move into harborages that are more typical of bedbugs, such as mattresses and bed frames.
Life cycle
Development from egg to adult ranges from 2 weeks in ideal conditions (warm temperature and abundant food supply) to more than 15 weeks, averaging about 1.5 months. An adult{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Louis|title= Adult Bed Bug Bites, Rashes & Symptoms - Orkin|url=http://bedbugguide.billydrummond.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125120239/http://bedbugguide.billydrummond.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2024|publisher=The University of Chicago|accessdate=13 January 2012}} may survive more than one year without feeding. As with the common bedbug, a nymph requires a blood meal to molt, and an adult female requires a blood meal to lay eggs.
Feeding habits
Bat bugs feed on blood from bats, but when they wander away from the bat roost area, they will feed on other warm-blooded animals, including people. This feeding is an annoyance but is not dangerous. Bat bugs have not been found to transmit any diseases.