What does a bed bug look like, including photos and description? - briefly
A bed bug is a small, oval, flat insect about 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown after feeding and lighter tan when unfed. Photographs show a wingless, elongated body with a distinct «c‑shaped» abdomen, visible antennae, and six short legs.
What does a bed bug look like, including photos and description? - in detail
The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, measures 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expands to 6–7 mm after a blood meal. Its body is oval, dorsoventrally flattened, and resembles a tiny, reddish‑brown apple seed. The head is not distinctly separated from the thorax; the antennae are short, four‑segmented, and hidden beneath the pronotum. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each ending in a clawed tip. The abdomen displays three visible dorsal segments in unfed adults, while fed individuals show a swollen, dark‑red abdomen.
Key visual identifiers include:
- Color variation: Light brown to deep mahogany after feeding; eggs appear white and oval, about 0.5 mm long.
- Winglessness: No wings; mobility relies on crawling.
- Silhouette: Broad, triangular shape with a smooth, glossy exoskeleton.
- Nymph stages: Five instars, each increasing in size and darkening with successive blood meals; early instars are translucent, becoming progressively opaque.
Photographic documentation typically shows:
- An adult perched on a mattress seam, highlighting the flattened dorsum and concealed head.
- A close‑up of a fed adult, illustrating the engorged abdomen and deepening coloration.
- A cluster of eggs glued to fabric fibers, demonstrating their tiny, oval form.
- A nymph in its third instar, revealing intermediate size and partially transparent cuticle.
These visual characteristics enable reliable identification of bed bugs in residential settings, distinguishing them from other small insects such as carpet beetles or spider mites. Accurate recognition supports effective monitoring and control measures.