How do small bedbugs bite? - briefly
Small bedbugs pierce the skin with a needle‑like proboscis. They inject saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetic agents, then draw blood, leaving a small, often itchy, red spot.
How do small bedbugs bite? - in detail
Small bedbugs locate a host by sensing body heat and carbon‑dioxide emissions. When a suitable area is identified, the insect anchors its forelegs and extends a slender, needle‑like proboscis composed of two interlocking stylets. The outer stylet acts as a sheath, while the inner stylet functions as a canal for saliva and blood.
The feeding process proceeds as follows:
- Penetration – the inner stylet pierces the epidermis and reaches the capillary network.
- Saliva injection – the bug releases saliva containing anticoagulants and a mild anesthetic, preventing clotting and reducing the host’s sensation of the bite.
- Blood uptake – a negative pressure generated by the insect’s muscular pump draws blood upward through the canal.
- Detachment – after ingesting an average of 0.2 µl of blood, the proboscis is withdrawn and the insect retreats to its hiding place.
Even in the earliest nymphal stages, mouthparts retain the same structure, allowing effective feeding despite a reduced body size. Feeding sessions typically last from five to ten minutes, after which the bug may remain attached for a short period to complete digestion before returning to its shelter. Salivary components may trigger localized skin reactions, but the primary purpose of the bite is to obtain a liquid meal for growth and reproduction.