What do domestic wooden bedbugs look like? - briefly
Domestic wooden bedbugs are tiny, flat, oval insects about 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown to dark brown in color. Their dorsoventrally compressed bodies allow them to hide in cracks and joints of wooden furniture.
What do domestic wooden bedbugs look like? - in detail
Domestic wooden bedbugs are small, flattened insects typically measuring 4–5 mm in length. Their bodies are elongated, oval, and dorsoventrally compressed, allowing them to slip beneath furniture and into crevices. The exoskeleton is smooth and glossy, ranging in color from light brown to deep reddish‑brown; freshly emerged specimens appear pale, darkening after a few molts.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Head: Triangular, concealed beneath the pronotum, with short, non‑functional eyes and slender, needle‑like mouthparts adapted for piercing wood fibers.
- Antennae: Four segmented, each segment bearing fine sensory hairs; the antennae lie close to the body when at rest.
- Pronotum: Broad, shield‑shaped plate covering the thorax, often marked with faint transverse striations.
- Wings: Two membranous elytra that meet along the midline, transparent when unfurled but usually held tightly against the abdomen, giving a smooth appearance.
- Legs: Six slender legs, each ending in tiny claws that grip wood surfaces; the tibiae may display fine spines for traction.
- Abdomen: Segmented, slightly tapering toward the posterior, with a series of tiny, evenly spaced bristles (setae) along the ventral surface.
When infested, clusters of these insects can create a faint, powdery residue composed of shed exoskeleton fragments and frass, often visible on wooden surfaces. Live individuals move slowly, exhibiting a characteristic “rocking” gait as they navigate grain lines. Their coloration may vary slightly with humidity and age, but the overall brown hue and flattened profile remain consistent identifiers.