How do bedbugs that bite people look? - briefly
They are tiny, oval insects roughly 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown when unfed and swelling to a plump, bright red‑orange after a blood meal.
How do bedbugs that bite people look? - in detail
Bedbugs that feed on humans are small, flattened insects measuring approximately 4–5 mm in length and 1.5–3 mm in width. Their bodies are oval-shaped and dorsoventrally compressed, allowing them to hide in narrow crevices. The exoskeleton is a matte, reddish‑brown color; after a blood meal, the abdomen expands and turns a brighter, engorged red hue.
Key morphological characteristics include:
- Six short legs, each ending in a pair of claws that facilitate rapid movement across fabric.
- Two antennae, each bearing four sensory segments.
- A beak‑like proboscis concealed beneath the head, used to pierce skin and draw blood.
- Three distinct life stages—egg, nymph, and adult—each resembling the adult form but differing in size and coloration. Nymphs are pale yellow‑brown and become progressively darker after successive feedings.
When unfed, the insect’s silhouette appears smooth and uniform. Post‑feeding, the abdomen swells dramatically, sometimes doubling in size, and the cuticle becomes more translucent, revealing the ingested blood. This visual change aids in distinguishing recently fed individuals from those that have not fed for several days.
The ventral surface displays a series of light‑colored bands that correspond to the insect’s segmented abdomen. The dorsal surface lacks obvious markings, presenting a consistent hue that may vary slightly with age and environmental conditions.
Overall, the combination of small, flattened body, reddish‑brown coloration, distinctive leg structure, and engorged appearance after feeding provides a reliable set of visual cues for identification.