What do bedbugs look like? - briefly
Adult bedbugs are oval, flat, and reddish‑brown, about 4–5 mm long, with a pointed head and no wings. Nymphs appear as smaller, paler versions of the adult.
What do bedbugs look like? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring approximately 4–5 mm in length when fully grown, comparable to the size of an apple seed. Their bodies are flat when unfed and become noticeably swollen after a blood meal, reaching up to 7 mm. The dorsal surface is a uniform reddish‑brown hue that may appear darker after feeding; the ventral side is lighter, almost tan.
The adult’s anatomy includes a head, thorax, and abdomen, though the segmentation is not distinctly visible. Six short, hair‑like antennae extend from the head, each bearing sensory receptors. Three pairs of legs emerge from the thorax, ending in curved claws that facilitate clinging to fabric. Compound eyes are reduced to tiny, non‑functional spots. Piercing‑sucking mouthparts—specifically a beak‑like proboscis—are concealed within a sheath and deployed to penetrate skin.
Nymphs resemble miniature adults but lack fully developed coloration. They progress through five instars, each about 1 mm larger than the previous stage. Unfed nymphs appear pale, almost translucent; after ingesting blood they turn progressively reddish, mirroring adult coloration. All stages retain the same flattened, oval profile.
Observable indicators of infestation include:
- Tiny, reddish‑brown exoskeletons left behind after molting
- Dark, rust‑colored spots on bedding, representing digested blood excretions
- Small, white, oval eggs attached to seams or creases of fabric
These characteristics allow precise identification of the insect in various environments.