What does a bedbug and its bites look like? - briefly
Adult bedbugs are flat, oval, reddish‑brown insects about 4–5 mm long, with a segmented, wingless body. Their bites present as tiny, red, itchy welts, typically arranged in a line or cluster.
What does a bedbug and its bites look like? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 6–7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flat dorsally and become markedly convex after feeding. The exoskeleton is smooth, matte, and varies from reddish‑brown in unfed specimens to a brighter, almost brick‑red hue when engorged. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each ending in a curved claw that aids in climbing fabrics. Antennae consist of four short segments, and the abdomen bears a pair of scent glands that release a characteristic odor when the insect is disturbed.
The bite marks produced by these parasites display a consistent pattern. Typically, a series of three to five puncture sites appear in a linear or slightly clustered arrangement, spaced 1–2 mm apart. Each individual lesion is a small, raised papule about 2–3 mm in diameter, often surrounded by a faint erythematous halo. In sensitive individuals, the reaction may include itching, swelling, and a central vesicle that can become a tiny ulcer if scratched. The lesions usually emerge within 24–48 hours after exposure, although delayed hypersensitivity can postpone visible signs up to several days. Bites are most common on exposed skin—neck, face, forearms, and hands—because bedbugs feed while the host is motionless, typically at night.
Key identification points:
- Insect size: 4–5 mm (unfed), 6–7 mm (fed).
- Color: Reddish‑brown, becoming brighter after feeding.
- Body shape: Flat, laterally oval; convex when engorged.
- Legs: Six, with hooked claws.
- Bite pattern: Linear or clustered series of 3‑5 punctures, 1–2 mm apart.
- Lesion appearance: Small papules with a red halo, possible central vesicle.
- Onset: 24–48 hours post‑exposure, possibly delayed.
- Common sites: Neck, face, forearms, hands.
Understanding these morphological and clinical features enables accurate recognition of infestations and informs appropriate control measures.