Unsavory Infestation: The Conquering of Humanity by Bed Bugs
Bedbugs: Ancient Urban Parasites
Bedbugs, small bloodsucking insects, have been afflicting humans for thousands of years, according to a new study published in the journal "Biology Letters." The research suggests that bedbugs might have been the first creatures linked to urban life and that they thrived as human populations expanded and settled in larger communities.
The study, led by researchers from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, found that bedbug populations exploded in sync with human civilization's growth. This increase began around 13,000 years ago, coinciding with the development of early cities. In contrast, bedbug populations associated with bats started declining after the last ice age around 20,000 years ago.
The association between bed bugs and humans can be traced back to over 245,000 years ago, the research indicates, when a subset of bed bugs began transitioning from their bat hosts to Hominines. This shift led to two distinct genetic lines: one found primarily in Europe and the Near East, still associated with bats, and one associated with humans, now widespread worldwide.
According to the researchers, the transition to humans as a host proved advantageous for the bed bugs as humans became increasingly sedentary and, later, settlement-dwelling. This change was further highlighted by a comparative analysis of genome sequences combined with demographic models.
The human population has grown from around five million at the onset of civilization roughly 10,000 years ago to over eight billion today. The oldest known large settlement, Çatalhöyük in Turkey, dates back to around 9400 years ago and housed anywhere from 800 to 8000 people.
In response to the bedbug infestations, humans employed insecticides such as DDT during the 20th century, which seemed effective in eliminating human-associated bedbugs in many areas. However, DDT-resistant populations soon emerged, indicating the persistence of the bedbug problem.
Recently, a wave of bedbug reports and photographs has swept through French cinemas, trains, and other public spaces, leading to an increase in their spread. Despite political accusations that Russia is behind the social media frenzy, the exact cause remains unclear.
The study highlights the resilience and adaptability of bedbugs in exploiting new environments, making them pioneers in urban pests. A single female bedbug can initiate an infestation within ten weeks, laying one to twelve eggs daily under favorable conditions, and thus, they can multiply rapidly.
Education about the resilience and adaptability of bedbugs in urban environments is crucial for health and wellness. The study on bedbugs' history demonstrates that they have been linked to science, especially medical-conditions, throughout human civilization, thriving as populations grew and settlements expanded.
