What do a louse, flea, and bedbug look like? - briefly
A louse is a tiny, wingless, elongated insect about 2–4 mm long, pale gray‑brown, with a flattened body and six short legs; a flea measures 1.5–3.5 mm, dark brown, laterally compressed, equipped with powerful hind legs for jumping; a bedbug is 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown, oval, and dorsoventrally flattened, with a distinct head‑to‑abdomen silhouette.
What do a louse, flea, and bedbug look like? - in detail
Lice are small, wingless insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving a flattened appearance that facilitates movement through hair shafts. The head bears a pair of short, straight antennae and compound eyes positioned laterally. Mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking stylet adapted for feeding on blood. Legs end in sharp claws that grasp individual hair strands. Color ranges from pale gray to reddish‑brown, depending on species and engorgement level.
Fleas are laterally flattened, jumping arthropods typically 1.5–3.5 mm long. The thorax is robust, supporting powerful hind legs that produce a spring‑like thrust for rapid leaps. Antennae are short, concealed beneath the head capsule. The head bears large, compound eyes and elongated mouthparts forming a proboscis for piercing skin and sucking blood. The body surface is covered with fine spines (setae) that give a slightly bristly texture. Color varies from dark brown to reddish‑black; engorged females appear swollen and lighter.
Bed bugs are oval, dorsoventrally flattened insects 4–5 mm long when unfed, expanding to 7–10 mm after a blood meal. The pronotum (shield‑like plate) extends forward, partially covering the head. Antennae consist of four short segments. Eyes are small, reddish, and located on the sides of the head. Mouthparts form a curved, needle‑like proboscis housed within a sheath, used to pierce skin. Legs are short with claws adapted for climbing smooth surfaces. The exoskeleton is matte, ranging from reddish‑brown to deep mahogany; after feeding, the abdomen becomes distended and lighter in color.