How do bed bugs look in photos and how do they bite? - briefly
In photographs, adult bed bugs appear as flat, reddish‑brown insects about 4–5 mm long with oval bodies and visible antennae, while younger stages are smaller, lighter, and retain the same shape. They bite by piercing skin with a needle‑like proboscis, delivering anesthetic and anticoagulant before feeding on blood for several minutes, which typically results in a small, itchy red spot.
How do bed bugs look in photos and how do they bite? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when fully grown. In photographs they appear as flat, reddish‑brown bodies with a distinct, pointed “beak” at the front. The dorsal surface shows a faint, honey‑comb pattern of tiny punctures, visible under magnification. Adult specimens have six legs, each ending in a thin claw, and two small antennae near the head. Nymphs look similar but are lighter in color and range from 1 mm (first instar) to 4 mm (fifth instar). Eggs are about 0.5 mm, white, and often clustered in groups of 10–30, appearing as tiny specks on fabric or seams.
Feeding behavior is characterized by the following points:
- Piercing‑sucking mouthparts: a beak‑like proboscis penetrates the skin, reaching capillaries.
- Salivary injection: the bug releases anticoagulant saliva that numbs the area, preventing immediate pain.
- Blood intake: a single meal provides 5–10 µl of blood, sufficient for several days of survival.
- Bite pattern: lesions usually form in linear or clustered arrangements, often on exposed limbs or the torso.
- Reaction time: redness and itching develop 12–48 hours after the bite, reflecting delayed hypersensitivity.
- Feeding frequency: after a meal, the insect retreats to a harboring site and may remain unfed for 5–10 days, extending to several weeks when food is scarce.
Photographic identification relies on recognizing the flat, reddish‑brown silhouette, the distinct dorsal puncture pattern, and the contrast between adult and nymphal stages. Bite assessment focuses on the characteristic arrangement of lesions, delayed inflammatory response, and the absence of immediate pain during feeding.