Mbuta Dennis M, Sokame Bonoukpoè M, Khamis Fathiya M, Akutse Komivi S
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya.
Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedical Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya.
Insects. 2025 Apr 9;16(4):395. doi: 10.3390/insects16040395.
Bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are blood-feeding insects closely linked with humans and animals, causing discomfort, and posing potential threats as disease vectors. This study focuses on (common bed bug) and (tropical bed bug), the two key species identified in Africa. infests human habitats, while , more common in Africa, infests diverse habitats, including bat colonies. In our study, we investigated the infestation dynamics and distribution of bed bugs in Africa, when considering climate, habitat, and host availability using system dynamics and ecological niche modelling techniques. System dynamics modelling analyses in Kenya revealed varied infestation dynamics, with Mombasa having high prevalence, Nairobi having lower coexistence, and Makueni/Bomet showing dominance. Across Africa, prevails, especially in central and coastal areas, while has lower suitability, with isolated high-suitability zones. Both species coexist in central/southern Africa, parts of the east, and coastal areas in septentrional/west Africa. The Sahara's extreme conditions challenge both bed bug species' survival, emphasizing climate's role in their infestation and distribution dynamics. Insights into bed bug ecology in Africa underscore the need for comprehensive pest management and public health strategies in the continent.
臭虫（半翅目：臭虫科）是与人类和动物密切相关的吸血昆虫，会造成不适，并作为疾病传播媒介构成潜在威胁。本研究聚焦于非洲确定的两种主要臭虫物种，即温带臭虫（普通臭虫）和热带臭虫。温带臭虫侵扰人类栖息地，而在非洲更为常见的热带臭虫则侵扰包括蝙蝠栖息地在内的多种栖息地。在我们的研究中，我们运用系统动力学和生态位建模技术，在考虑气候、栖息地和宿主可利用性的情况下，调查了非洲臭虫的侵扰动态和分布情况。在肯尼亚进行的系统动力学建模分析揭示了不同的侵扰动态，蒙巴萨的温带臭虫患病率较高，内罗毕的两种臭虫共存率较低，而马库埃尼/博梅特则以热带臭虫为主。在整个非洲，温带臭虫占主导地位，尤其是在中部和沿海地区，而热带臭虫的适宜度较低，仅有孤立的高适宜度区域。这两种臭虫在非洲中部/南部、东部部分地区以及非洲北部/西部沿海地区共存。撒哈拉沙漠的极端条件对这两种臭虫的生存都构成挑战，凸显了气候在其侵扰和分布动态中的作用。对非洲臭虫生态学的深入了解强调了在该大陆实施全面虫害管理和公共卫生战略的必要性。
