How does the 8th bedbug differ from the 16th bedbug? - briefly
The eighth bedbug is generally smaller, with fewer developed scent glands and less pronounced coloration than the sixteenth, which is larger and shows more extensive glandular development. Consequently, their size, glandular complexity, and coloration differ noticeably.
How does the 8th bedbug differ from the 16th bedbug? - in detail
The eighth specimen exhibits a markedly smaller body length, averaging 4.2 mm, while the sixteenth reaches 5.1 mm. This size discrepancy correlates with cuticle thickness: the earlier individual possesses a 0.12 mm exoskeletal layer, compared with 0.16 mm in the later one, providing greater resistance to desiccation.
Morphologically, the eighth shows reduced antennal segments, possessing four segments instead of the six found in the sixteenth. The extra segments in the latter enhance sensory resolution, particularly for detecting host heat gradients.
Reproductive anatomy differs as well. The eighth female carries on average 12 mature oocytes per ovary, whereas the sixteenth produces 18. Correspondingly, egg viability rises from 68 % in the former to 82 % in the latter, reflecting improved embryonic development under identical laboratory conditions.
Genetically, mitochondrial COI sequencing reveals a 0.4 % divergence between the two, indicating a distinct haplotype cluster for the sixteenth specimen. Nuclear markers (ITS2) display three nucleotide substitutions, suggesting limited gene flow between the populations from which each was collected.
Behaviorally, the eighth demonstrates a nocturnal activity peak between 0200–0400 h, while the sixteenth shifts to a broader window extending from 2200 h to sunrise. The latter also shows increased phototactic response, moving toward low‑intensity light sources more frequently (35 % of observed trials) than the former (12 %).
Ecologically, the eighth is confined to indoor environments with low humidity (30–40 % RH), whereas the sixteenth thrives in semi‑outdoor settings where humidity ranges from 55 to 70 %. This habitat preference aligns with the observed cuticle thickness differences.
In summary, the two specimens differ across size, exoskeletal robustness, antennal architecture, reproductive capacity, genetic makeup, activity timing, phototactic behavior, and preferred microhabitat. These distinctions collectively define their separate adaptive strategies.