UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
= (a 
FARMERW’ 
BULLETIN 
WasuincTon, D. C. TOA OcroBER 14, 1916 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief. 
THE BEDBUG.' 
By C. L. Maruart, 
Entomologist and Assistant Chief of Burcau. 
CONTENTS. 
3 Page. Page. 
Hn MPOCNEG ELON teres <i tora ctnete sis civics is = spasieite lt: “Hoodsaind! longevitive-scassss ade oo eee a 7 
Origin; common names; distribution......... 2. |) entitvience) of temperatures =ss ss. «2. een 8 
Varieties and related insécts..:-....-.----.--- 30S beybiberohbheybed bir aa>-sseeae eee ke 9 
Genera lchoaractenisticS --2 ses.) ss 225 eee 3 | The bedbug and human diseases...........-- 9 
Meee ire Py.a OC OR. seen = = = ase eee 4 | Natural enemies of the bedbug..-........... 10 
Habits and life history.............-.--..--.- EN) ARG AGONRS G2 se oBoosene oe ae be cnc sae Se ceaeoee 11 
INTRODUCTION. 
The presence of the bedbug (fig. 1) in a house is not necessarily 
an indication of neglect or carelessness; for, little as the idea may 
be relished, this insect may gain access in spite of the adoption of 
all reasonable precautions. It is very apt to get into the trunks 
and satchels of travelers, or into baskets of laundry, and may thus 
be introduced into homes. Unfortunately, also, it is quite capable 
of migrating from one house to another and will often continue to 
come from an adjoining house, sometimes for a period of several 
months, gaining entrance daily. Such migration is especially likely 
to take place if the human inhabitants of an infested house leave 
it. With the failure of their usual source of food, the migratory 
instinct of the bedbugs is developed, and, escaping through win- 
dows, they pass along walls, water pipes, or gutters, and thus gain 
entrance into adjoiming houses. In these or other ways anyone’s 
premises may be temporarily invaded. 
1 Cimex lectularius L.; order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera, family Cimicidae. 
48406°—Bull. 754—16 
