How does a female bedbug lay eggs? - briefly
A female bed bug inserts each egg through a slender ovipositor into a crack, seam, or fabric fold, typically laying them singly or in small clusters. Under optimal temperature and humidity, the eggs hatch within about 6–10 days.
How does a female bedbug lay eggs? - in detail
The reproductive system of the common bed bug consists of paired ovaries that mature a batch of oocytes after each blood meal. Hormonal signals trigger vitellogenesis, during which yolk proteins are deposited in the developing eggs. Mature oocytes travel through the oviducts to the spermatheca, where stored sperm fertilizes them before passage into the ovipositor.
Egg formation occurs within the abdominal cavity. Each oocyte receives a chorion, a protective outer layer composed of protein and chitin, which hardens shortly after release. The female typically produces 5–7 eggs per batch, with the total number depending on the quality of the host blood and environmental conditions.
Oviposition proceeds as follows:
- The abdomen bends upward, positioning the ovipositor near a suitable substrate.
- The ovipositor inserts the egg into a pre‑selected crevice (e.g., mattress seams, wall cracks, furniture joints).
- The egg is released by a peristaltic contraction of the ovipositor muscles.
- The process repeats until the batch is exhausted, after which the female seeks another blood meal to replenish resources.
Preferred sites are dark, protected microhabitats that maintain stable temperature and humidity. The female deposits the eggs singly, spacing them to reduce competition and predation risk. After placement, the chorion hardens, creating a resilient capsule that shields the embryo.
Incubation lasts 6–10 days at 22–26 °C and relative humidity of 70–80 %. During this period, the embryo undergoes segmentation, organogenesis, and cuticle formation. Upon hatching, the nymph emerges fully formed, ready to seek a blood meal for further development. «The female deposits eggs in concealed locations to maximize survival of the offspring».