Nymphs of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) produce anti-aphrodisiac defence against conspecific males |
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Authors: | Vincent Harraca Camilla Ryne Rickard Ignell |
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Affiliation: | (1) Division of Chemical Ecology, Department of Ecology, Ecology Building, Lund University, SE, 223 62 Lund, Sweden;(2) Division of Chemical Ecology, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 102, SE, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Background Abdominal wounding by traumatic insemination and the lack of a long distance attraction pheromone set the scene for unusual sexual signalling systems. Male bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) mount any large, newly fed individual in an attempt to mate. Last instar nymphs overlap in size with mature females, which make them a potential target for interested males. However, nymphs lack the female's specific mating adaptations and may be severely injured by the abdominal wounding. We, therefore, hypothesized that nymphs emit chemical deterrents that act as an honest status signal, which prevents nymph sexual harassment and indirectly reduces energy costs for males. |
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