Seasonal variations in bed bug (Cimex spp.) populations in several public places in Korhogo (Ivory Coast): Ecological approaches and epidemiological perspectives
Paper Details
Seasonal variations in bed bug (Cimex spp.) populations in several public places in Korhogo (Ivory Coast): Ecological approaches and epidemiological perspectives
Abstract
This study investigated the seasonal variation in bed bug (Cimex spp.) populations in public places in Korhogo, northern Côte d’Ivoire. Entomological surveys were conducted from August to December 2024 in 31 public sites, including transport stations, markets, schools, restaurants, and garages. Bed bugs were collected through direct inspection of potential hiding places and identified according to species, sex, and feeding status. A total of 4,518 bed bugs belonging to two species, Cimex hemipterus and Cimex lectularius, were collected. Cimex hemipterus was the predominant species, representing 96.76% of all specimens. Overall abundance was significantly higher during the rainy season (52.61%) than during the dry season (47.39%). Infestations were recorded exclusively in transport stations, with Dianra Station showing the highest infestation level. The proportion of engorged bed bugs was also significantly higher during the rainy season (54.77%) compared with the dry season (44.70%), indicating increased blood-feeding activity during humid periods. Seasonal variation was particularly pronounced in C. hemipterus, especially among males. These findings suggest that climatic conditions, particularly humidity, strongly influence bed bug proliferation and feeding activity in urban public environments. The study highlights the importance of strengthening surveillance and control measures in transport stations, especially during the rainy season, to reduce infestation risks and limit the spread of bed bugs in Korhogo.
Benkacimi L, Gazelle G, El Hamzaoui B, Bérenger JM, Parola P, Laroche M. 2020. MALDI-TOF MS identification of Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus bedbugs. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 85, 1–17.
Cannet A, Akhoundi M, Bérenger JM, Michel G, Marty P, Delaunay P. 2015. A review of data on laboratory colonies of bed bugs (Cimicidae), an insect of emerging medical relevance. Parasite 22, 21. DOI:10.1051/parasite/2015021.
Fofana D, Yao KP, Koné N, Beugré JMV, Acapovi-Yao GL, Koné BA, Konan KL, Ouattara K, Koné S. 2023. Diagnosis of Cimicidae, ectoparasites linked to human habitat in Côte d’Ivoire. Journal of Parasitology and Vector Biology 15(1), 21–25.
Hwang SW, Svoboda TJ, De Jong IJ, Kabasele KJ, Gogosis E. 2005. Bed bug infestations in an urban environment. Emerging Infectious Diseases 11(4), 533–538.
INS. 2022. Répertoire des localités: RGPH (Recensement Général de la Population et de l’Habitat), 2021. Résultats globaux. Institut National de la Statistique, Côte d’Ivoire, 37 p.
Lorenzo MG, Lazzari CR. 1999. Temperature and relative humidity affect the shelter choice behavior of Triatoma infestans. Acta Tropica 72, 241–249.
Masini P, Zampetti S, Llera MG, Biancolini F, Moretta I, Romani R, Tramontana M, Mathilde S. 2019. Punaise de lit : invasion, piqûre, comment s’en débarrasser. Édition 1. ALLO FRELONS Éditions, Paris, France, pp. 45–60.
Rukke BA, Sivasubramaniam R, Birkemoe T, Aak A. 2018. Temperature stress deteriorates bed bug (Cimex lectularius) populations through decreased survival, fecundity and offspring success. PLOS ONE 13(3), e0193788. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0193788.
SODEXAM. 2018. Climat et météorologie en Côte d’Ivoire : données régionales 1980–2015. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 30 p.
Traoré M. 2019. Étude de la dynamique climatique et de la végétation dans le nord de la Côte d’Ivoire: cas de la région de Korhogo. Mémoire de Master, Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly de Korhogo, pp. 15–20.
Toure Donatie Serge*, Traore Issouf, Traore Mamadou, Ouattara Manzara, Ouattara Foungoye Allassane, Kone Mouhamadou, Doumbia Mamadou, 2026. Seasonal variations in bed bug (Cimex spp.) populations in several public places in Korhogo (Ivory Coast): Ecological approaches and epidemiological perspectives. Int. J. Biosci., 28(5), 76-83.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.