This article was originally written by Stephen Beech for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
Our planet is home to around 1 million known insect species, and about 1%-3% of them are considered pests, per the National Pesticide Information Center. But which one has been bugging humans the longest? A team of scientists led by two Virginia Tech researchers think they’ve figured it out: In a study published Wednesday, they suggest that bed bugs were the first human pest.
The bugs began their pesky relationship with people when they hopped off a bat and attached themselves to a Neanderthal around 60,000 years ago, the authors say — and they’ve stuck around their human hosts ever since.
But according to the researchers, the populations of bed bugs that stayed with bats have been declining since the Ice Age, also known as the Last Glacial Maximum, around 20,000 years ago.
The team compared the whole genome sequence of the two genetically distinct lineages of bed bugs: those associated with bats and those with humans. Their findings indicate that the human-associated lineage followed a “similar demographic pattern” as humans, meaning bed bugs may well be the first true urban pest.
“We wanted to look at changes in effective population size, which is the number of breeding individuals that are contributing to the next generation, because that can tell you what’s been happening in their past,” study co-lead Lindsay Miles said in a news release.
By studying the historical and evolutionary symbiotic relationship between humans and bed bugs, scientists may be able to generate future models that predict the spread of pests and diseases under urban population expansion, and identify the traits that co-evolved in both humans and pests.
“Initially with both populations, we saw a general decline that is consistent with the Last Glacial Maximum; the bat-associated lineage never bounced back, and it is still decreasing in size,” Miles said. “The really exciting part is that the human-associated lineage did recover and their effective population increased.”
She referenced the early establishment of large human settlements that expanded into cities like Mesopotamia around 12,000 years ago. As the human population increased and continued living in communities and cities expanded, the human-associated bed bug lineage’s population size experienced an “exponential” growth.
“That makes sense because modern humans moved out of caves about 60,000 years ago,” said study co-lead Warren Booth. “There were bed bugs living in the caves with these humans, and when they moved out, they took a subset of the population with them so there’s less genetic diversity in that human-associated lineage.”
By using the whole genome data, the researchers now have a foundation to continue studying the 245,000-year-old lineage split.
Since the two lineages have some genetic differences, yet not enough to have evolved into two distinct species, the researchers want to focus on comparing the evolutionary alterations that have taken place more recently.
“What will be interesting is to look at what’s happening in the last 100 to 120 years,” said Booth. “Bed bugs were pretty common in the old world, but once DDT was introduced for pest control, populations crashed. They were thought to have been essentially eradicated, but within five years they started reappearing and were resisting the pesticide.”
In a previous study, the research team discovered a gene mutation that could contribute to that insecticide resistance — and now, they’re looking further into bed bugs’ genomic evolution and its relevance to the pest’s insecticide resistance. Concerned about the itty-bitty critters taking up residence in your space? Follow these at-home tips to prevent or get rid of bed bugs.
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Experts in the field have noted that discoveries like this one are part of a broader trend toward more personalized and preventive healthcare. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of disease and wellness, researchers can develop targeted interventions that address the root causes of health issues rather than simply treating symptoms. This shift in approach has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for patients across a wide range of conditions, from chronic illnesses to acute infections and everything in between.
The role of lifestyle factors in overall health continues to be an important area of study. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and strong social connections all contribute to better health outcomes. As our understanding of these relationships deepens, public health campaigns and community programs are increasingly focused on creating environments that make healthy choices easier and more accessible for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background or geographic location.
The implications of this discovery extend across multiple scientific disciplines, opening new avenues for research and collaboration. As technology continues to advance, scientists are able to study phenomena that were previously beyond the reach of observation, leading to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the natural world. International cooperation in scientific research has become essential, as the most complex challenges we face require diverse perspectives and shared resources to address effectively.
Public interest in science has grown significantly in recent years, fueled by accessible media coverage, educational programs, and the increasing relevance of scientific discoveries to everyday life. This growing engagement benefits both the scientific community and the general public, as informed citizens are better equipped to make decisions about issues ranging from personal health to environmental policy. Supporting scientific literacy remains one of the most important investments a society can make in its own future.
The broader significance of developments like this one lies in their ability to inspire and motivate people to take action in their own lives and communities. Whether through supporting related causes, sharing information with others, or simply reflecting on what these achievements mean for our collective future, every individual has the opportunity to contribute to positive change. The stories that capture our attention and imagination serve as reminders that progress is not inevitable but rather the result of dedicated effort, creative thinking, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
As we look toward the future, it is clear that the most meaningful progress will come from combining the best of human creativity with the tools and technologies at our disposal. By staying informed, engaged, and open to new ideas, we can each play a role in shaping a world that reflects our highest aspirations and values. The journey toward a better future is not always straightforward, but stories like this one remind us that every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the larger arc of human progress and possibility.
