What do bed bugs and fleas look like in photos? - briefly
Bed bugs appear as tiny, oval, reddish‑brown insects about 4–5 mm long, often shown flattened against fabric or mattress seams. Fleas are even smaller, dark brown, laterally compressed jumpers roughly 2–3 mm, typically captured mid‑air or on a host’s fur.
What do bed bugs and fleas look like in photos? - in detail
Bed bugs appear as small, flattened insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after feeding. Their bodies are oval‑shaped and exhibit a reddish‑brown hue that darkens to deep mahogany after a blood meal. In close‑up photographs, the dorsal surface shows a distinct, smooth exoskeleton with a visible seam separating the thorax and abdomen. The head is concealed beneath the pronotum, making the eyes difficult to discern; however, the antennae are present as thin, segmented filaments extending forward. Legs are six‑jointed, positioned at the rear of the thorax, and often appear as tiny, pale limbs against the darker body.
Fleas are considerably smaller, ranging from 1.5 to 3 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving a narrow, elongated silhouette when viewed from above. The coloration varies from reddish‑brown to dark brown, with a lighter, silvery sheen on the ventral side. Photographically, the head is prominent, featuring large, compound eyes and short, bristle‑like antennae. The hind legs are markedly enlarged and adapted for jumping; in macro images they are visible as robust, muscular segments ending in a series of spines that aid in grasping hosts. The abdomen consists of multiple visible segments, each separated by fine, pale lines.
Key visual differences observable in images:
- Body shape: Bed bugs – oval, flattened; fleas – laterally flattened, elongated.
- Size: Bed bugs – up to 7 mm after feeding; fleas – up to 3 mm.
- Color: Bed bugs – reddish‑brown, darkening after feeding; fleas – reddish‑brown to dark brown with silvery ventral surface.
- Head visibility: Bed bugs – hidden under pronotum; fleas – prominent with large eyes.
- Leg structure: Bed bugs – six‑jointed, modest; fleas – enlarged hind legs for jumping, with spines.
When examining photographs, focus on the insect’s silhouette, coloration, and leg morphology to distinguish between the two species accurately.