How long does a bedbug take to reproduce? - briefly
Females begin oviposition 5–7 days after mating, and the eggs hatch in 6–10 days. The complete cycle from copulation to a newly emerged adult lasts roughly two to three weeks.
How long does a bedbug take to reproduce? - in detail
The reproductive cycle of the common bed bug («Cimex lectularius») proceeds through several distinct phases, each governed by temperature and blood‑meal availability.
After a blood meal, a female becomes receptive to mating. Stored sperm can fertilize multiple egg batches over several weeks. Egg deposition begins approximately 4–5 days post‑mating. A single female typically releases 1–5 eggs per day, accumulating 200–500 eggs during her lifespan.
Egg development occurs within a protective coating. Incubation lasts 6–10 days at 25 °C; lower temperatures extend this period proportionally. Upon hatching, the nymph enters the first instar.
Nymphal development comprises five successive instars. Each molt requires a blood meal and spans 5–10 days under optimal thermal conditions. The duration of each stage shortens as temperature rises, but temperatures below 20 °C can double the time required for a molt.
Summarized timeline under favorable conditions (≈25 °C, regular blood meals):
- Mating and sperm storage: immediate after blood meal
- Egg laying onset: 4–5 days
- Egg incubation: 6–10 days
- First instar emergence: day 10–15
- Each subsequent molt: 5–10 days (five molts total)
- Emergence of reproductive adult: approximately 4–6 weeks from oviposition
Adult females remain fertile for several months, capable of producing new egg batches continuously provided they obtain regular blood meals. In the absence of feeding, adults can survive up to six months; with intermittent feeding, lifespans approach one year. Consequently, the full cycle from mating to the production of a new generation can be completed in roughly one month under optimal conditions, extending to two months or more in cooler environments.