What do bed bugs look like in photos and what are their bites like? - briefly
In photographs, adult bed bugs are flat, reddish‑brown, oval insects roughly 4–5 mm long with visible antennae and six legs. Their bites present as tiny, red, itchy welts that typically occur in linear or clustered groups on exposed skin.
What do bed bugs look like in photos and what are their bites like? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. In photographic documentation they appear as flat, reddish‑brown bodies with a distinct, creamy‑white dorsal stripe running the length of the abdomen. The head is concealed beneath the thorax, and the antennae are short, consisting of five segments. Legs are thin, positioned at the rear, and the wings are absent, giving the insect a smooth, glistening silhouette. Eggs, visible in close‑up images, are tiny (about 1 mm), white, and often clustered in groups of 10–30 on fabric seams or crevices.
The bite marks left by these parasites are typically a series of small, raised welts. Characteristics include:
- Size: 2–5 mm in diameter, often grouped in linear or clustered patterns.
- Color: Initially pink or red, darkening to purple or brown as inflammation progresses.
- Shape: Slightly raised, sometimes with a central puncture point.
- Timing: Reactions may appear within minutes to several days after exposure, depending on individual sensitivity.
- Symptoms: Itching, burning, or mild swelling; severe cases can produce blistering or secondary infection.
Photographs of bites often show symmetrical arrangements, such as three to five lesions in a row (“breakfast, lunch, and dinner” pattern), reflecting the bug’s feeding behavior of moving along skin and taking multiple feedings before retreating.
Key visual cues for identification:
- Adult insects: Reddish‑brown, flat, with a light dorsal stripe.
- Nymphs: Similar shape, paler coloration, lacking the stripe, and smaller with each successive molt.
- Fecal spots: Dark, rust‑colored specks left on bedding or walls, resembling small ink drops.
- Blood stains: Tiny reddish spots on sheets, often near mattress seams.
Understanding these visual and dermatological details enables accurate recognition of infestations and informs appropriate control measures.