In Bedbugs, Scientists See a Model of Evolution

"In the closing sentence of “The Origin of Species,” Charles Darwin marvels at the process of evolution, observing how “from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”  Few people would describe bedbugs as most beautiful or most wonderful. Yet this blood-feeding pest may represent an exceptional chance to observe the emergence of Darwin’s “endless forms”: New research indicates that some bedbugs are well on their way to becoming a new species."


This article gives readers a look into the evolution of bedbugs, from where they originated to their present residing and how they made the journey in between.  Through the DNA of bedbugs, scientists have been able to track the movement of these bugs around the world and begin to figure out why we just can't seem to get rid of these pests altogether.

Author:  Carl Zimmer
Source:  New York Times
Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/science/in-bedbugs-scientists-see-a-model-of-evolution.html?ref=science&_r=0

-Amelia Ekert
Loyola University Maryland Scientista Website Publishing Chair