What does a bedbug egg and nymph look like? - briefly
Bedbug eggs are roughly 1 mm long, oval, white‑to‑pale, and are glued singly or in clusters to seams, walls, or furniture. Newly hatched nymphs measure 1–2 mm, start translucent and become reddish‑brown as they molt through five instars before reaching adult size.
What does a bedbug egg and nymph look like? - in detail
Bed bug eggs are tiny, oval structures measuring approximately 0.5 mm in length. Their shells are smooth, semi‑transparent, and slightly glossy, allowing the developing embryo to be faintly visible as a pale, whitish spot. Eggs are laid singly or in small clusters (typically 5–10) within cracks, seams, or the crevices of mattresses, furniture, and wall voids. The adhesive coating surrounding each egg is a thin, protein‑rich secretion that firmly attaches the egg to the substrate, reducing the risk of displacement.
Nymphs emerge from these eggs as first‑instar larvae, about 1.5 mm long. At this stage they possess a flat, elongated body and lack fully developed wings. Their coloration ranges from translucent pale yellow to light brown, with a pronounced dark dorsal stripe that becomes more distinct in later instars. Each nymph bears three pairs of legs and a pair of tiny, nonfunctional wing pads. The cuticle is soft and flexible, allowing rapid movement through tight spaces.
Subsequent molts produce five additional instars, each larger than the previous:
- Second instar: 2–3 mm, darker brown, dorsal stripe more pronounced, wings still absent.
- Third instar: 3–4 mm, body coloration deepens to reddish‑brown, wing pads become more noticeable.
- Fourth instar: 4–5 mm, overall body length increases, wings remain undeveloped, abdomen slightly swollen after blood meals.
- Fifth instar (adult precursor): 5–6 mm, coloration uniform dark brown, wing pads elongated but still non‑functional, reproductive organs visible in females.
Throughout development, the exoskeleton hardens after each ecdysis, resulting in a progressively tougher cuticle. The eyes, initially simple ocelli, become more defined in later stages, and the antennae lengthen, enhancing sensory perception. All instars retain the characteristic flattened profile that facilitates movement beneath fabric seams and within furniture joints.