What do house bedbugs look like: photos, bed, female? - briefly
Adult house bedbugs are oval, flat‑sided insects about 5–7 mm long, reddish‑brown before feeding and bright red‑orange after a blood meal; females are slightly larger with a broader abdomen. They commonly hide in mattress seams, bed frames, and surrounding cracks.
What do house bedbugs look like: photos, bed, female? - in detail
Domestic bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, oval insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flat and dorsoventrally compressed, allowing easy movement within mattress seams and fabric folds. The exoskeleton is matte brown; newly emerged specimens appear light tan, darkening to a deep reddish‑brown after feeding. Distinctive markings include a pale, crescent‑shaped area on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, often called the “hemelytral stripe,” which becomes more pronounced in adults.
Key visual identifiers:
- Shape: Egg‑shaped, with a smooth, rounded back and tapered rear.
- Color: Ranges from light tan (unfed) to deep mahogany (post‑feeding); the abdomen may show a lighter band.
- Surface texture: Lacks wings; the thorax and abdomen are covered with fine hairs that give a slightly fuzzy appearance under magnification.
- Legs: Six slender legs, each ending in a claw for gripping fabric.
- Antennae: Four segmented, protruding forward from the head.
Females differ from males primarily in size and abdomen shape. Adult females are typically 0.5–1 mm longer, with a more rounded, swollen abdomen to accommodate egg production. The ventral side of a female shows a broader, flatter surface, and the abdomen may appear more distended after oviposition. Internally, females possess a single reproductive organ (ovariole) that produces up to five eggs per day, a detail observable only through dissection or high‑resolution imaging.
When inspecting a bed, concentrate on the following locations:
- Mattress seams: Creases and stitching harbor egg clusters and nymphs.
- Box‑spring edges: The fabric and wooden frame provide hiding spots.
- Headboard and footboard: Cracks and upholstery pockets retain adults.
- Bed linens: Folds and pillowcases often contain exuviae (shed skins) and fecal spots, which appear as tiny dark specks.
Photographic documentation should capture:
- Close‑up of the dorsal view to show the characteristic stripe.
- Lateral view highlighting the flattened body and leg placement.
- Macro image of a female abdomen to illustrate the enlarged, egg‑bearing shape.
- Images of infestation sites (seam, box‑spring) with visible insects or eggs.
Recognizing these traits enables accurate identification and targeted control measures.