How to feed bedbug soldiers? - briefly
Provide the insects with a steady supply of blood, using a live host or a warmed artificial membrane feeder placed inside the colony container. Maintain appropriate humidity and temperature to keep the soldiers actively feeding.
How to feed bedbug soldiers? - in detail
Bedbug soldiers, the larger, more aggressive individuals within a colony, require a diet that supports rapid growth and sustained activity. Their primary nourishment comes from blood meals, typically obtained from warm‑blooded hosts.
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Host selection – Choose a host with a stable body temperature between 30 °C and 34 °C. Small mammals (rodents, rabbits) or human volunteers under controlled conditions provide optimal blood flow. Avoid hosts with anticoagulant medication, as it interferes with digestion.
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Feeding frequency – Provide a fresh blood source every 2–3 days. Younger soldiers can tolerate longer intervals, but mature individuals need more frequent intake to maintain muscle mass and defensive capabilities.
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Blood preparation – If using collected blood, anticoagulant-free samples are essential. Warm the blood to 32 °C before presentation. Add 0.5 % glucose to improve palatability and energy availability.
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Delivery method – Two effective techniques exist:
- Direct attachment – Place a restrained host under a transparent enclosure; soldiers locate the host’s skin and feed naturally. Monitor for excessive feeding time (>15 min) to prevent over‑engorgement.
- Artificial membrane system – Use a silicone membrane stretched over a heated reservoir of blood. Maintain membrane temperature at 32 °C and humidity at 70 %. Soldiers insert their proboscis through the membrane and ingest blood within 5–10 minutes.
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Post‑feeding care – After a meal, keep the colony at 27 °C with 80 % relative humidity for 24 hours. This environment promotes digestion and reduces mortality. Provide a dry substrate for molting, as soldiers often shed exoskeletons after large blood meals.
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Supplementary nutrients – Occasionally enrich blood with 0.1 % vitamin B complex and 0.05 % cholesterol to support cuticle hardening and pheromone production. Do not exceed these concentrations, as excess lipids impair gut function.
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Monitoring – Record the weight of each soldier before and after feeding. A gain of 20–30 % of body mass indicates a successful intake. Track survival rates; a decline below 85 % over a week signals a problem with host suitability or environmental conditions.
By adhering to precise host temperature, blood quality, feeding schedule, and post‑meal environment, caretakers can reliably sustain the soldier caste, ensuring colony defense and reproductive success.