What does a bed bug larva feed on? - briefly
Bed bug nymphs need a blood meal shortly after hatching. They obtain it by piercing the skin of humans or other warm‑blooded hosts and sucking the blood.
What does a bed bug larva feed on? - in detail
Bed bug nymphs are obligate blood feeders. Immediately after hatching, the first‑instar requires a single blood meal to trigger the molt to the second instar. Each subsequent stage—second, third, and fourth instars—also depends on a fresh blood intake before progressing to the next molt and ultimately reaching adulthood.
The insects target the blood of warm‑blooded vertebrates. Human hosts are the most common, but they will also feed on dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and other mammals when available. Host selection is guided by heat, carbon dioxide, and body odor cues that draw the nymph toward a concealed feeding site, typically the folds of bedding or clothing.
Feeding occurs during the night or in low‑light conditions. The nymph inserts its elongated, piercing‑sucking mouthparts (the stylet bundle) into the host’s skin, secretes anticoagulant saliva to prevent clotting, and draws blood through the canal formed by the two maxillary stylets. A single feeding session lasts from a few minutes up to half an hour, depending on the stage and the size of the blood pool.
After ingestion, the blood meal is stored in the midgut, where proteolytic enzymes break down hemoglobin and other proteins into amino acids. These nutrients are allocated to cuticle synthesis and energy reserves required for molting. Unused blood is excreted as a dark, watery droppings that may be observed near resting sites.
Nymphs can survive extended periods without feeding—ranging from several days in the early instars to months in later stages—provided ambient temperature remains within the optimal range (20‑30 °C). However, prolonged starvation delays development and reduces the likelihood of successful molting.
In summary, each developmental stage of a bed bug larva relies exclusively on vertebrate blood, obtained through nocturnal, stealthy feeding behavior, to acquire the proteins and energy necessary for growth, cuticle formation, and progression to the next instar.