How can a bedbug be bred? - briefly
Maintain a warm, dark setting (≈25‑28 °C, 70‑80 % humidity) with a constant blood source and fabric or paper hideouts for the insects. Introduce a small starter colony, feed it regularly, and replace the host material as needed to support continuous reproduction.
How can a bedbug be bred? - in detail
Cultivating Cimex lectularius requires a secure, climate‑controlled enclosure. Use a transparent plastic or glass terrarium with a tight‑fitting lid and a ventilation system fitted with a fine mesh to prevent escape. Place a dark, smooth surface such as a piece of fabric or cardboard to serve as a resting platform; bedbugs prefer low‑light environments and will aggregate there.
Maintain temperature between 24 °C and 28 °C (75 °F–82 °F) and relative humidity at 70 %–80 %. A digital thermostat and hygrometer should regulate conditions automatically. Fluctuations beyond these ranges suppress egg development and reduce survivability.
Provide a blood source for adult females. The most reliable method is an artificial feeding system: a warmed membrane (e.g., Parafilm) stretched over a reservoir containing defibrinated rabbit or human blood, heated to 37 °C. Offer the feed for 15–30 minutes every 5–7 days. After feeding, return insects to the enclosure for digestion and oviposition.
Egg laying occurs on flat surfaces. After a female feeds, she deposits 1–5 eggs per day for up to two weeks. Collect eggs weekly by gently tapping the substrate onto a fine brush and transfer them to a separate incubation tray kept at the same temperature and humidity. Incubation lasts 5–10 days, after which nymphs emerge.
Nymphs progress through five instars, each requiring a blood meal before molting. Feed nymphs on the same artificial system, adjusting volume to their size. Provide a minimum of one feed per instar; insufficient nutrition prolongs development and increases mortality.
Implement strict sanitation: remove waste and dead insects weekly, replace substrate, and disinfect the enclosure with a 70 % ethanol solution between batches. Record temperature, humidity, feeding dates, and mortality rates in a logbook to monitor colony health.
For long‑term maintenance, retain a breeding pair (one male, one fertilized female) in a separate “stock” container. Periodically introduce offspring from the main colony to prevent inbreeding depression. Rotate stock individuals every 3–4 months to sustain genetic vigor.
Safety considerations include wearing disposable gloves, using a laboratory coat, and conducting all work within a sealed room equipped with HEPA filtration. Dispose of blood residues and dead specimens in biohazard bags, autoclave before discarding. Regularly inspect the containment area for accidental escapes and seal any gaps immediately.