How much blood does a bedbug need? - briefly
An adult bedbug typically ingests about 0.1–0.2 ml of blood per meal, sufficient for metabolism and egg development. This single feeding can sustain the insect for several days to a week, depending on environmental conditions.
How much blood does a bedbug need? - in detail
Bed bugs obtain all nutrients from blood, and their survival, development, and reproduction depend on the volume ingested during each feeding. An adult typically draws 0.2–0.5 µL per meal, representing roughly 5–10 % of its body mass. Nymphs, which are smaller, consume 0.1–0.3 µL per intake but must feed more often—generally every 2–3 days—whereas adults can extend the interval to 3–5 days when a host is present.
The blood taken supplies proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates required for metabolism and egg formation. Each microliter delivers about 0.8 mg of protein, sufficient to support the synthesis of a single egg. Consequently, a well‑fed female produces 4–5 eggs per week, with a total clutch of 200–300 eggs over her lifetime.
Environmental temperature influences feeding frequency: at 25 °C, the inter‑meal interval shortens to 2–4 days, while lower temperatures lengthen the gap to 6–10 days. Male and female insects exhibit similar per‑meal volumes, but females ingest slightly more to meet reproductive demands.
Key quantitative points:
- Adult intake per feeding: 0.2–0.5 µL
- Nymph intake per feeding: 0.1–0.3 µL
- Feeding interval (adults): 3–5 days (host‑dependent)
- Feeding interval (nymphs): 2–3 days
- Protein delivered per µL: ~0.8 mg
- Total blood consumed by a female during lifespan: 10–15 µL
- Egg production per female: 200–300 eggs
These figures illustrate the precise blood requirements that drive the life cycle of the species.