Bedbug Invasion 2010

"Cimex lectularius, the notorious bedbug, is an international arthropod of mystery.  In comparison to other insects that bite man, or even only walk across man’s food, nibble man’s crops or bite man’s farm animals, very little is known about the creature whose Latin name means — go figure — “bug of the bed.” Only a handful of entomologists specialize in it, and until recently it has been low on the government’s research agenda because it does not transmit disease. Most study grants come from the pesticide industry and ask only one question: What kills it?"

Donald McNeil's article in the September 1, 2010 NY Times, "They Crawl, They Bite, They Baffle Scientists" is a fine introduction to this important pest.