How does a bedbug look: photos of the female and male? - briefly
Female bedbugs are oval, reddish‑brown insects about 5–7 mm long, with a noticeably expanded abdomen after a blood meal. Males are similar in color and shape but slightly smaller (4–5 mm) and exhibit a more tapered posterior.
How does a bedbug look: photos of the female and male? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flattened insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed. Their bodies are oval, dorsoventrally compressed, and covered with a glossy, reddish‑brown exoskeleton that becomes darker after a blood meal. The head is concealed beneath the thorax, and the antennae consist of four short segments. Legs are slender, with five tarsal segments each, ending in tiny claws that enable the insect to cling to fabric.
Female specimens are slightly larger than males, typically reaching 5 mm, while males average 4.5 mm. In photographic documentation, the size difference appears as a marginally broader abdomen in females, which expands markedly during egg development. The abdomen of a gravid female often exhibits a more pronounced, rounded profile and may display a lighter, almost translucent area where eggs are visible through the cuticle. Male images show a narrower, more tapered abdomen and a slightly longer, curved rostrum used for feeding.
Both sexes possess a pair of wing‑like hemelytra reduced to protective shields covering the dorsal surface. The hemelytra are uniformly colored, lacking distinctive markings that would differentiate sexes. Eyes are simple ocelli, appearing as tiny dark spots on either side of the head in close‑up photos.
Key visual cues for sex identification in images:
- Size: Females marginally larger.
- Abdominal shape: Females exhibit a fuller, rounded abdomen; males show a slimmer, elongated form.
- Egg visibility: Gravid females may reveal internal eggs as faint, lighter zones.
- Rostrum curvature: Males often display a slightly more curved feeding proboscis.
High‑resolution photographs typically capture these characteristics from a dorsal perspective, with the insect positioned on a white or neutral background to highlight coloration and body outline. Microscopic images can further reveal surface texture, showing the fine punctate pattern of the exoskeleton and the arrangement of setae along the legs.