How does a small bed bug look? - briefly
A tiny bed bug measures about 1–2 mm, is oval, flattened, reddish‑brown, and has a smooth, hairless body with six visible legs. Its head is hidden beneath the thorax and short antennae make it appear as a miniature dark speck.
How does a small bed bug look? - in detail
A small bed bug, typically a first‑instar nymph, measures about 1.5 mm in length—roughly the size of a pinhead. Its body is flattened dorsoventrally, facilitating movement within fabric seams and mattress crevices.
- Color: Pale, almost translucent, lacking the deep reddish‑brown hue of mature insects.
- Shape: Oval and slightly elongated; the abdomen tapers toward the posterior.
- Head: Equipped with a pair of short antennae bearing fine sensory setae.
- Mouthparts: Piercing‑sucking proboscis (rostrum) concealed beneath the head, designed for blood extraction.
- Legs: Six slender legs, each ending in tiny claws that grip fibers; legs are proportionally longer than those of adults.
- Eyes: Simple, reduced ocelli that appear as tiny dark spots on the head capsule.
- Wings: Absent; the species is wingless throughout all developmental stages.
The exoskeleton is soft and flexible, allowing rapid expansion after a blood meal. As the nymph molts, its coloration darkens and its size increases incrementally, eventually reaching the adult dimensions of 4–5 mm.