What do domestic bedbugs look like in pictures? - briefly
Domestic bedbugs are tiny, oval, flat insects about 5‑7 mm long, reddish‑brown with a darker abdomen. After feeding they swell, becoming more rounded and bright‑red, commonly seen on mattresses, bedding, or nearby crevices.
What do domestic bedbugs look like in pictures? - in detail
Domestic bedbugs appear as flat, oval‑shaped insects about 4–5 mm long when unfed and up to 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are reddish‑brown, darkening to a deep mahogany after feeding. The dorsal surface is smooth, lacking distinct markings, while the ventral side shows a lighter, straw‑colored hue. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each ending in a small claw that allows the insect to cling to fabric. Antennae consist of three short segments, visible as thin, light‑colored projections near the head.
Key visual indicators in photographs:
- Size: roughly the length of a grain of rice; visible comparison objects (e.g., a coin) often included for scale.
- Shape: elongated oval, flattened dorsoventrally, resembling a small apple seed.
- Color: bright reddish‑brown when starved; deep rust after a recent meal; lighter beige in early developmental stages.
- Head and eyes: tiny, barely distinguishable; eyes appear as dark dots near the front of the thorax.
- Wings: absent; the insect is wingless, which can be confirmed by the smooth, uninterrupted outline.
- Eggs: tiny, white, about 1 mm long; usually clustered in creases of mattresses or seams of furniture, appearing as specks rather than distinct shapes.
- Nymphs: translucent or pale yellow, progressively darkening with each molt; their size ranges from 1 mm (first instar) to 4 mm (fifth instar).
Photographic documentation often includes close‑up macro shots that highlight the abdomen’s segmentation and the characteristic “c‑shaped” posture when the bug is disturbed. Images taken after a blood meal typically show a swollen abdomen and a glossy sheen, distinguishing fed individuals from unfed ones. The contrast between the insect’s dark body and the lighter fabric background aids identification in most visual records.