How do bedbugs bite and what do they look like? - briefly
Bed bugs pierce the skin with a needle‑like proboscis, inject anticoagulant saliva, and ingest blood, producing a tiny, itchy, red welt. The insect is a wingless, oval body about 4–5 mm long, flattened when unfed and reddish‑brown after a meal.
How do bedbugs bite and what do they look like? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) attach to the skin with their elongated, beak‑like mouthparts called a proboscis. The insect inserts the stylet into the epidermis, then secretes a small amount of saliva that contains anticoagulants and anesthetic compounds. These substances prevent blood clotting and dull the sensation of the bite, allowing the bug to feed for five to ten minutes while the host remains largely unaware. During this period the insect draws up to 0.2 ml of blood, after which it withdraws the proboscis and drops off.
The feeding process can be broken down into three stages:
- Penetration – the labium folds back, exposing the fascicle of two slender stylets that pierce the skin.
- Injection – saliva containing enzymes and anticoagulants is released to keep blood flowing.
- Suction – the bug pumps blood through its foregut into the crop for later digestion.
After feeding, the bite site typically develops a raised, red welts that may itch or swell. The reaction varies with individual sensitivity; some people experience no visible sign, while others develop a line of several bites, often in a straight or clustered pattern.
Physical description of the insect:
- Length: 4–5 mm (adult), 1–3 mm (nymphs).
- Shape: flat, oval, and dorsoventrally compressed, enabling movement under fabrics and into tight crevices.
- Color: pale brown to reddish‑brown after a blood meal; otherwise light tan.
- Antennae: short, segmented, located near the head.
- Wings: absent; locomotion relies on six legs.
- Abdomen: consists of five visible segments, each bearing fine hairs that give a slightly fuzzy appearance.
- Eyes: absent; navigation depends on sensory hairs and chemical cues.
Key identifying features include the lack of wings, the distinct “cigar‑shaped” body, and the presence of tiny, translucent wing‑like structures on the thorax that are actually hardened plates (tegmina). Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and lighter in color, becoming progressively darker after successive feedings.
Understanding both the feeding mechanism and morphological traits is essential for accurate identification and effective control measures.