How do bedbugs lay larvae? - briefly
Female bedbugs lay single eggs on crevices, seams, or fabric, where they incubate for 6–10 days before hatching into nymphs. The nymphs molt five times before becoming mature adults.
How do bedbugs lay larvae? - in detail
Bedbugs reproduce through a series of well‑defined steps that result in the emergence of immature stages often referred to as larvae.
Mating occurs after a blood meal. The male deposits a spermatophore using specialised genital structures; the female stores sperm in a spermatheca, allowing fertilisation of multiple egg batches over several weeks.
Egg deposition follows. The female selects concealed sites such as mattress seams, wall cracks, or furniture joints. Each egg measures roughly 1 mm, possesses a translucent white shell, and is coated with a sticky substance that adheres it to the substrate. Typical oviposition rates range from one to five eggs per day, with a total potential output of up to 200 eggs per adult.
Incubation depends on ambient temperature. At 22–25 °C, embryonic development requires 5–10 days; lower temperatures prolong this period. Once development completes, the egg ruptures, releasing a newly hatched first‑instar nymph.
The hatchling immediately seeks a blood source. It undergoes five successive molts, each stage larger and more capable of blood feeding. Although technically termed nymphs, these stages are frequently described as larvae in popular literature.
Key factors influencing egg‑laying behavior include the availability of a recent blood meal, environmental humidity, and temperature stability. Adequate moisture prevents desiccation of the eggs, while optimal warmth accelerates embryogenesis.
In summary, the reproductive cycle comprises sperm transfer, selective oviposition of adhesive eggs in protected microhabitats, temperature‑dependent embryonic development, and the emergence of first‑instar nymphs that will progress through multiple molts before reaching adulthood.