Synonym-of-cimex
Guides
Oeciacus
swallow bug, barn swallow bug
Oeciacus is a genus of haematophagous ectoparasites in the family Cimicidae, historically recognized as swallow bugs. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown the genus to be nested within Cimex, leading to its proposed synonymy with that genus. The three described species—O. hirundinis, O. montandoni, and O. vicarius—are specialized parasites of swallows (Hirundinidae), with distinct morphological characters associated with this host relationship. The American swallow bug O. vicarius is particularly well-studied, occurring primarily in cliff swallow colonies across North America.