What do bedbug larvae look like? - briefly
Bed bug nymphs are tiny, elongated, pale‑white insects measuring roughly 1–5 mm, with a translucent exoskeleton that darkens after each molt. They possess six legs, lack wings, and resemble miniature adults without visible antennae.
What do bedbug larvae look like? - in detail
Bed bug nymphs are small, elongated insects that resemble miniature adults. Their bodies are soft, lacking the hard exoskeleton seen in mature specimens, and they measure approximately 1.5 mm after hatching, increasing to about 4 mm by the fifth molt.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Color: Pale creamy or off‑white when newly emerged; gradually darkens to a reddish‑brown hue after each blood meal.
- Body shape: Oval, slightly flattened dorsoventrally; no wings or halteres.
- Segments: Six visible abdominal segments, each separated by subtle constrictions.
- Head: Small, rounded, bearing a pair of short antennae (about one‑third the body length) equipped with sensory cones.
- Eyes: Simple ocelli, often indistinct or absent in early instars, becoming more noticeable in later stages.
- Mouthparts: Piercing‑sucking proboscis concealed beneath the head, not visible without magnification.
- Legs: Four pairs of slender legs, each ending in tiny claws for clinging to fabric and crevices.
- Spiracles: Minute openings on the lateral sides of the abdomen for respiration, appearing as tiny dots.
Morphological changes occur with each molt:
- First instar: Translucent, no visible pigmentation, eyes rudimentary, antennae very short.
- Second–third instars: Light brown coloration appears, eyes enlarge, antennae lengthen proportionally.
- Fourth–fifth instars: Body reaches near‑adult size, coloration deepens to a mahogany tone, spiracles become more pronounced.
Under a stereomicroscope, the nymphs’ cuticle shows fine, microscopic hairs that aid in detecting temperature and carbon dioxide. The overall appearance is that of a tiny, flattened, reddish insect with a tapered abdomen and a concealed feeding apparatus, distinct from the adult’s glossy, fully sclerotized form.