What do aquatic bedbugs feed on? - briefly
Aquatic cimicids ingest the body fluids of small amphibian or fish larvae and other minute aquatic invertebrates. They pierce the host’s integument with a proboscis to extract nutrients.
What do aquatic bedbugs feed on? - in detail
Aquatic members of the Cimicidae family possess elongated, needle‑like rostrums that pierce the integument of their prey. Their diet consists primarily of:
- Larval and adult stages of other small aquatic arthropods (e.g., mosquito larvae, water flea, mayfly nymphs).
- Eggs of amphibians and fish that are deposited on submerged vegetation.
- Soft‑bodied invertebrates such as nematodes and oligochaete worms.
- Decaying organic matter, including detritus and microbial biofilms that coat submerged substrates.
Feeding occurs during both day and night, with activity peaking in warm, stagnant waters where prey density is high. The insects locate hosts by detecting chemical cues (e.g., kairomones) released by potential victims. Once attached, they inject saliva containing anticoagulants and digestive enzymes, allowing rapid extraction of hemolymph or body fluids.
Juvenile instars exhibit a higher proportion of predatory behavior, while mature individuals shift toward opportunistic scavenging when prey are scarce. Seasonal changes influence diet composition: in spring, larvae dominate the menu due to abundant breeding cycles of other insects; in autumn, detrital consumption increases as organic material accumulates.
Laboratory observations confirm that individuals can survive for several weeks without a blood meal, relying on stored nutrients derived from earlier feeding events. However, regular ingestion of protein‑rich fluids is essential for successful reproduction, as each female requires multiple blood meals to develop a full clutch of eggs.