What do bedbugs look like and how are they described? - briefly
Bedbugs are tiny, flat, oval insects measuring 4–5 mm, reddish‑brown, wingless, with visible segmented antennae and six legs. They are characterized as nocturnal hematophagous pests that conceal themselves in mattress seams, furniture crevices, and other tight spaces.
What do bedbugs look like and how are they described? - in detail
Bedbugs are small, wingless insects belonging to the family Cimicidae. Adult specimens measure approximately 4–5 mm in length, comparable to the size of an apple seed. Their bodies are flattened dorsoventrally, enabling them to hide within tight crevices of mattresses, furniture, and wall voids. The exoskeleton exhibits a reddish‑brown hue that darkens after a blood meal, producing a deep mahogany coloration. Antennae consist of four segments, each bearing fine hairs that assist in tactile navigation. Legs are six in number, slender, and end in tiny claws that facilitate rapid movement across fabric surfaces.
Key morphological traits include:
- Oval, convex shape with a broad, shield‑like thorax.
- Absence of functional wings; flight is impossible.
- Prominent, beak‑like proboscis used to pierce skin and ingest blood.
- Pair of small, compound eyes positioned laterally on the head.
- Two membranous spiracles on each abdominal segment for respiration.
Nymphal stages resemble adults but are lighter in color and smaller, ranging from 1.5 mm in the first instar to 3 mm in the fifth. Each molt results in a gradual increase in size and a deepening of the reddish tone. Eggs are tiny, about 0.5 mm, and appear as white, oval capsules attached to fabric fibers or hidden in seams.
The overall description emphasizes a compact, dorsoventrally flattened insect with a reddish‑brown exoskeleton, segmented antennae, six clawed legs, and a specialized piercing mouthpart, all adaptations that support its nocturnal, hematophagous lifestyle.