Bed Bug Bacterial Genes

Underside of Immature Bed Bug

Lateral gene transfer, the movement of genes from one organism to another is a relatively frequent occurrence in host/symbiont relationships. Lateral gene transfers can be detected by comparing the sequence of bacterial genes to DNA sequence in the host. A comparison of bed bug DNA with the genes associated bacteria* found 805 sequences that could have arisen from lateral gene transfer. This is a large number for an insect species. Most lateral gene…

Source: Living With Insects Blog