How do sofa bedbugs look and what do their bites look like? - briefly
Adult sofa bedbugs are reddish‑brown, oval insects about 5 mm long with flat bodies and visible dark wings on the back; nymphs are lighter and smaller. Their bites appear as small, red, raised welts that commonly occur in a line or cluster and may itch or swell.
How do sofa bedbugs look and what do their bites look like? - in detail
Sofa‑dwelling bedbugs are small, flat insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are oval, dorsoventrally compressed, and covered with fine, whitish hairs that give a matte appearance. The coloration ranges from reddish‑brown in unfed individuals to a deeper mahogany after feeding. Visible wing pads (hemelytra) are short, not functional for flight, and extend only a few millimeters beyond the abdomen. Antennae consist of five segmented filaments, each segment slightly thicker toward the tip. The abdomen bears six visible dorsal plates (tergites) with a subtle, pale margin that may aid identification under magnification.
Key morphological traits that differentiate sofa‑associated specimens from other Cimicidae include:
- Pronounced scent gland openings on the thorax, often emitting a characteristic sweet, musty odor when disturbed.
- Light‑colored, crescent‑shaped markings on the posterior abdomen, more evident in mature individuals.
- Absence of visible eyes; bedbugs rely on tactile and chemical cues.
Bite manifestations reflect the insect’s hematophagous feeding behavior. After a blood meal, a small, erythematous papule appears at the site of insertion, typically 2–5 mm in diameter. The lesion may develop a central punctum where the proboscis entered. In most cases, the reaction is delayed, becoming noticeable 12–24 hours post‑exposure. Common characteristics of the lesions include:
- Linear or clustered arrangement, often following a “breakfast‑lunch‑dinner” pattern along exposed skin.
- Mild to moderate pruritus, intensifying after the initial reaction period.
- Possible secondary edema or vesiculation in sensitive individuals.
When multiple bites co‑occur, the affected area may exhibit a reddish‑brown halo surrounding each papule, sometimes accompanied by a faint wheal. The skin response typically resolves within 5–10 days without scarring, although persistent scratching can lead to excoriation or secondary infection. Prompt cleaning of the bite site with mild antiseptic reduces the risk of bacterial complications.