Researchers successfully sequenced the genomes of two strains of bed bugs—one susceptible and one highly resistant to insecticides—uncovering 729 mutations specific to resistance. This study, published in the journal Insects, provides the most comprehensive genomic analysis of bed bug insecticide resistance to date. While bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites lead to discomfort and potential secondary infections. After being nearly eradicated by insecticides like DDT in the 1960s, bed bug populations have surged in the past two decades due to genetic mutations granting resistance to modern insecticides. The resistant strain exhibited 19,859 times greater resistance to pyrethroids, the most widely used insecticide against bed bugs. Using advanced long-read sequencing technology, researchers achieved over 97% completeness in the genomic sequencing, identifying critical resistance mutations linked to DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation. The findings offer insights into the mechanisms of resistance and provide potential targets for future pest control strategies. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding genetic resistance to develop effective solutions against bed bug infestations and highlights the potential of genome-wide approaches in studying insect pesticide resistance. The study was funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and local government initiatives.
