Seasonal dynamics in the numbers of parasitic bugs (Heteroptera, Cimicidae): a possible cause of roost switching in bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

BARTONIČKA, Tomáš and Jiří GAISLER. Seasonal dynamics in the numbers of parasitic bugs (Heteroptera, Cimicidae): a possible cause of roost switching in bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae). Parasitology Research. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, 2007, vol. 100, No 6, p. 1323-1330. ISSN 0932-0113.

Basic information

• Original name: Seasonal dynamics in the numbers of parasitic bugs (Heteroptera, Cimicidae): a possible cause of roost switching in bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)
• Name in Czech: Sezónní dynamika početnosti štěnic (Heteroptera, Cimicidae): možná příčina střídání úkrytů netopýry
• Authors: BARTONIČKA, Tomáš (203 Czech Republic, guarantor) and Jiří GAISLER (203 Czech Republic).
• Edition: Parasitology Research, Berlin, Heidelberg, Springer, 2007, 0932-0113.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
• Country of publisher: Germany
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 1.512
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/07:00020098
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• UT WoS: 000246182500023
• Keywords in English: bugs Cimex bats roost switching
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The objective of the present paper is to extend the knowledge of roosting strategies of bats and the interaction of bats with their roost ectoparasites, the bat bugs Cimex pipistrelli. The project was focussed on potential causality of bat movements and the variation in bug numbers. For two years, three model bat boxes with breeding female P. pygmaeus were monitored inside floodplain forest. In May, after the arrival of bats, adults and first instars of bugs were observed in the boxes. During the lactation period in June, when the bats did not occupy the roosts, the first instar bugs died out followed by the adults. The decrease in bug numbers began only several days after the bats had left the boxes. After a month of the bats absence, the abundance of adult bugs decreased by half of their number. Only the eggs survived the period when the roosts were unoccupied in summer. In mid-July, after the arrival of lactating females, an increase in the number of bugs was observed. At the beginning of August, however, no new eggs were found. Although adult C. pipistrelli are able to survive the winter period in the boxes, the bats, by shifting the roosts within the vegetation season, prevent the massive reproduction of these parasites.

Abstract (in Czech)

Přestože adultní štěnice jsou schopny přežívat dlouhou dobu bez příjmu potravy, ostatní zejména rané instary potřebují pravelnou možnost sání. Nepřítomnost hostitele v úkrytu, byť pouze na dobu 14 dní může významně zredukovat početnost štěnic a tak si připravit více komfortní podmínky v následujícícm roce.

Links

• GP206/07/P098, research and development project: Name: Parazitace štěnicemi (Cimicidae): možná příčina střídání úkrytů netopýry

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Parasitation by bed bugs (Cimicidae): a possible cause of roost switching by bats

• MSM0021622416, plan (intention): Name: Diverzita biotických společenstev a populací: kauzální analýza variability v prostoru a čase

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Diversity of Biotic Communities and Populations: Causal Analysis of variation in space and time