Cimex lectularius isolate:BBFD1 Genome sequencing and assembly. Cimex lectularius isolate:BBFD1

The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) has been a persistent pest of humans for thousands of years, yet the genetic basis of the bed bug’s basic biology and adaptation to dense human environments is mostly unknown. Since human populations are increasingly becoming concentrated into cities, where bed bugs spread very rapidly, genetic data can help understand the bed bug populations. Here, we report the first ever assembly of the 713Mb Cimex lectularius genome, with a median N50 of 1Mb, using both long (Moleculo and Bionanogenomix) and short (Illumina) read technologies. We also created a developmental timecourse of gene expression (seven stages) using RNA-seq, which allowed us to create transcripts and annotations for 38,393 coding and noncoding genes. We observed a dramatic increase in gene expression after feeding on human blood, with 4,390 genes significantly changed, and a concomitant increase in human DNA and RNA inside the bed bug. We have found that the second instar stage is likely the most susceptible stage of development for insecticide, which can further help track, manage, and control bed bug infestations and populations.