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Aims: Gut microbes play an important role in metabolic reactions and cellulose digestion in all termite species. This suggests a potential termite control strategy through regulating its gut microbiota. While some studies have applied antibiotics and entomopathogenic fungi, studies on growth hormone regulators such as chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) are scarce. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the influence of CSIs towards the gut microbiomes composition in subterranean termites using a culture-dependent approach. Methodology and results: Three species of termites, namely, Coptotermes gestroi, Globitermes sulphureus and Macrotermes gilvus were prepared in two groups which, either untreated controls or treated termites. And those treated termites were bait-fed for four weeks using multiple active ingredients (AIs); chlorfluazuron, bistrifluron and hexaflumuron in CSIs bait to determine the bacterial diversity and compare the bacterial counts of these groups. However, the untreated controls were fresh samples. Results showed Pseudomonata had the highest composition among all phyla, followed by Firmicutes, Bacillota and Actinobacteria in all groups of termites. A paired t-test determined that only bacterial counts of Coptotermes gestroi bait-fed with chlorfluazuron and bistrifluron, and Globitermes sulphureus bait-fed with all baits were significantly reduced after the treatment. Correlation results also indicated that treated termites' bacterial counts and mortality were distantly related. A comparison was also made between the bacterial counts of treated termite species, revealing a significant difference. Tukey's HSD determined that among all AIs, only G. sulphureus differed significantly from the other termites. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results indicate that CSIs baits do influence changes in species diversity and abundance after baiting treatment. This might be due to dysbiosis and differences in gut process function. This test is a pioneer study on determining if CSIs cause alteration to gut microbiomes similar to antibiotics or entomopathogenic pathogens. And this might also answer the gut microbiome between the termite species distinctly response to the bait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population of the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (F.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), a temporary ectoparasite on both humans and animals, have surged in many tropical countries. Tropical bed bugs preferences when selecting a suitable harbourage and oviposition site were investigated. Two-choice and three choice colour assays were conducted to determine whether bed bugs will choose black, red or white coloured harbourages. Then, 50 1st instar were reared in containers containing black, red and white (control) paper served as the harbourages and observed for 12 weeks. Both fed and starve male, female and nymph strongly preferred red and black coloured harbourage compared to white coloured harbourage. Oviposition assays showed that female bed bugs prefered to laid their eggs on red coloured harbourages compared to black coloured harbourages. Rearing experiment showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between final population size of tropical bed bug. However, tropical bed bugs reared in container with red paper (600 ± 89.238) have the highest number of individuals followed by black (473 ± 133.841) and white (485 ± 84.234) paper. Bed bug preference towards coloured harbourage provide useful information for those developing new bed bug control method or improving bed bug infestation monitoring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects and are an important urban pest. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects and hide in cracks in walls and beds during the day. The study aims to: (1) determine the bed bugs species that infest Iraq, their infestation source, and their distribution; (2) determine the level of awareness and concern regarding bed bugs among the Iraqi community. Methods: Between 2020 and 2021, a survey of bed bug infestation dynamics was conducted in 18 infested sites located in major cities across eight governorates. The 23-item online survey was distributed over social media to Iraqi citizens between June and July 2022 to survey on their familiarity with bed bug habitat, medical significance, transmission, prevention, control measures, and concerns. Results: There were a total of 1104 bed bugs collected. Based on the morphological characteristics, bed bugs collected from eight Iraqi governorates are identified as Cimex hemipterus. Besides, a high rate of bed bug infestation was observed in workers' dormitories. The online questionnaire was answered by 1843 respondents and based on the feedback, most respondents (55.3%) have no awareness of bed bug infestations, while around 43.8% are somewhat concerned about bed bug infestations in Iraq. Conclusion: Only tropical bed bugs, C. hemipterus were found in all sampled sites. Bed bug infestations are mainly caused by migrant workers and the reuse of second-hand furniture and clothing. The results suggest that the Iraqi government should organize more proper demonstrations on bed bug awareness for the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tapinoma indicum Forel is one of the most abundant nuisance pests found in Penang Island, Malaysia. However, limited research has been done on T. indicum, especially in the molecular genetic field. This paper aims to collect T. indicum from three districts in Penang Island, Malaysia including George Town, Gelugor, Balik Pulau, characterize T. indicum based on morphological measurements and molecular characterization of T. indicum using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunits 1 (CO1) sequences and 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) sequences. The morphological measurements resulting in HL = 4.31 ± 0.12 mm, HW = 3.87 ± 0.06 mm, EL = 0.89 ± 0.05 mm, EW = 0.58 ± 0.01 mm, SL = 3.56 ± 0.08 mm, ML= 1.11 ± 0.12 mm, CI = 89.83 ± 1.17, EI = 20.59 ± 0.88 and SI = 82.95 ± 2.34. The CO1 sequences and 16S rDNA sequences of T. indicum from each population are deposited and accessible via Genbank (NCBI) database. The phylogenetic trees result in two clades with three haplotypes, but the genetic structure is not well revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]