What do bedbugs that live in a bed look like? - briefly
«Bedbugs are tiny, oval insects about 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown when unfed and flattening to a paper‑thin shape». After a blood meal they swell to a brighter, engorged appearance, becoming rounder and lighter in color.
What do bedbugs that live in a bed look like? - in detail
Bed bugs that inhabit a sleeping surface are small, flat‑oval insects belonging to the species Cimex lectularius. Adults measure approximately 4–5 mm in length (about the size of an apple seed) and 2–3 mm in width. Their bodies are dorsoventrally flattened, facilitating movement within the narrow crevices of mattress seams, box‑spring edges, and headboards. The exoskeleton is smooth and glossy, lacking visible hairs or scales.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Elongated, oval shape with a pointed rear end.
- Six legs, each ending in a small claw, positioned on the thorax.
- Two short, thread‑like antennae emerging from the head.
- Mouthparts forming a beak‑like proboscis used for piercing skin.
Coloration changes with feeding status. Unfed individuals appear light‑brown to reddish‑brown; after a blood meal, the abdomen expands and the hue darkens to a deep mahogany, often with a faint orange or rust‑colored afterglow. The abdomen becomes visibly swollen, creating a “ballooned” appearance that can aid identification.
Nymphs resemble miniature adults but lack fully developed wings and display a lighter, almost tan coloration. They progress through five instar stages, each requiring a blood meal before molting. With each molt, nymphs increase in size and darken, approaching adult coloration after the final stage.
Eggs are tiny, oval, and white, measuring about 0.5 mm in length. They are deposited in clusters of 5–10 on fabric folds, seams, or crevices near the host’s sleeping area. The eggs hatch within 6–10 days under optimal conditions, releasing first‑instar nymphs that immediately seek a blood source.
Understanding these morphological details assists in accurate identification and effective pest‑management strategies.