Vampirized!

In honor of Valentine's Day, the BioPark ran a number of programs involving the mating systems of various organisms. Our particular program was entitled "Love Bugs," and we aimed to have a number of arthropods on display that would exhibit a number of unusual mating systems. One of the most unusual insects, in terms of its mating style, is the bed bug, so we set out on a quest to obtain a number of specimens. I spent several days contacting local pest control companies, many of whom probably thought I was pranking them. I also contacted a few known bed bug researchers, several of whom either did not call me back or were dead ends.

On the Wednesday before the event, I finally managed to reach a fellow from Virginia Tech who was working with an active colony. He was kind enough to ship about 50 bed bugs to us overnight, also providing us with a wealth of information on care and upkeep. I set the critters up under the microscope so the event's attendees could finally see what these creatures actually look like. We discussed its violent mating technique, as well (the male essentially stabs the female's abdomen and deposits his sperm in the body cavity with the hopes that some reach the egg). After the event ended, we were left with a decision: should we maintain the colony or euthanize it?

Now, in all the Insectariums I have visited, I have NEVER seen a bed bug exhibit, so we decided we had something really unique and special. They are relevant to society, and incredibly interesting, so letting such an important specimen escape us seemed wrong. The main issue would be feeding...how, and on WHOM.

Well, I decided immediately that I would be the host. So long as none could escape, I wouldn't mind sacrificing a little of my blood to keep these critters around. They aren't vectors for disease, so my only concern would be how it would feel. But I didn't really have to worry about that until the following Wednesday...which was today!

After I'd finished all the chores I could possibly think of, that left only one thing...me and my collection of bloodthirsty arthropods. I sat down at my computer and regarded my congregation of critters. They were in a small jar that had a finely meshed screen hot glued around one end. Supposedly I should just put the screen against my arm, and for the next 12 minutes, they would do the rest. After much stalling, I finally gathered my courage and placed it to my arm.

The normally mellow bugs suddenly scurried about frantically. They knew their next blood meal was near. From the larger adults down to the tiny nymphs, they migrated quickly to the screen, and then I felt it. Tiny, prickly stabs that absolutely wigged me out! It wasn't exactly painful, just weird and really creepy. I had to stop. I waited a couple minutes and tried again, but it was just too disturbing...but I HAD to do this thing! My unique little arthropods had to live off something, er, someONE!

I decided to numb the area, to lessen the effect. I iced my arm for a good 10 minutes before mustering up the nerve to try again. And this time, I did it. I held the jar tightly against my arm and saw the bugs congregate. This time, though, I felt nothing...just the frenzied excitement from my critters. I opted to hold the jar down for an additional 5 minutes because I wasn't sure that they were feeding when my skin was so cold. After about 6 minutes, I could start to feel the prickling again, and it got pretty itchy. Still, it wasn't so bad, and I manned up for the next 11 minutes, watching in awe as the tiny, pale bed bugs morphed into plump, red capsules of blood...MY blood.

I had been told that females and people with high melanin levels tend to react more strongly to bed bug bites. Seeing as how I am female and extremely pale, I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily, save for a bit of red bumpiness that went away within an hour, it didn't really affect me at all. In fact, if anything, it was kind of a rush! I'll be doing weekly feedings from now on, so it's good that I got used to it quickly. I find it amusing that I'm intentionally nourishing one of nature's most reviled pests...but they just want to survive like the rest of us! They're my pet project now, and I'm pretty excited for its uniqueness, if nothing else. Ah, the things I do for the love of my job!