How do bedbugs feed and how much do they eat? - briefly
Bedbugs use a needle‑like proboscis to puncture skin, inject anticoagulant saliva, and draw blood for 5–10 minutes per bite. An adult ingests roughly 0.1–0.2 mL per feeding, about 5–10 times its body weight, and typically feeds every few days.
How do bedbugs feed and how much do they eat? - in detail
Bed bugs locate a host by sensing body heat, carbon‑dioxide exhalation, and skin chemicals. Once on the skin, the insect inserts its elongated, beak‑like rostrum into the epidermis. The rostrum contains two canals: one delivers anesthetic and anticoagulant saliva, the other draws blood. Saliva prevents clotting and numbs the bite site, allowing uninterrupted feeding.
The feeding episode lasts from five to ten minutes for a mature adult, though younger instars may require less time. During this period, an adult ingests approximately 0.2–0.5 µl of blood, equivalent to 1–3 % of its body mass. A fifth‑instar nymph consumes up to 0.8 µl, enough to double its weight. After a meal, the insect retreats to a harbor, where it digests the blood, stores protein for egg production, and expands its abdomen.
Feeding frequency depends on temperature and host availability. Under optimal conditions (≈ 27 °C), adults require a blood meal every three to five days. In cooler environments or during starvation, intervals can extend to several weeks, during which the insect metabolizes stored nutrients and loses weight.
Key quantitative facts:
- Blood volume per meal: 0.2–0.8 µl (adult to late‑instar).
- Meal duration: 5–10 min (adults), 2–5 min (early instars).
- Post‑meal weight gain: up to 100 % for late instars.
- Feeding interval: 3–5 days (optimal), up to 30 days (starvation).
These parameters explain why a small number of insects can cause significant blood loss and why control measures must target both active feeders and the hidden harboring sites where they digest and reproduce.