What does a bedbug feed on? - briefly
Bedbugs are obligate hematophages that obtain nourishment by piercing the skin of humans and other warm‑blooded vertebrates to ingest blood, usually during nighttime. They may also bite birds, rodents, or other mammals if those hosts are accessible.
What does a bedbug feed on? - in detail
Bedbugs are obligate hematophages; they obtain nourishment exclusively from the blood of warm‑blooded animals. Humans serve as the primary host in most domestic infestations, but the insects will also feed on birds, rodents, and other mammals when available.
The feeding process begins when a hungry adult or nymph detects a host through carbon dioxide, heat, and skin odors. The insect climbs onto exposed skin, typically the face, neck, arms, or legs, and inserts its elongated, needle‑like mouthparts. The stylet penetrates the epidermis and reaches a capillary, where the bug injects saliva containing anticoagulants, vasodilators, and anesthetic compounds. These substances prevent blood clotting, dilate vessels, and reduce the host’s perception of the bite.
Key aspects of the blood meal:
- Volume: an adult consumes approximately 0.001–0.005 ml per feeding, enough to sustain it for several days.
- Duration: the act lasts 3–10 minutes, after which the insect withdraws its mouthparts and retreats to a harbor.
- Frequency: after a blood meal, a bedbug can survive 3–5 days before needing to feed again; nymphs require a meal to molt to the next stage.
- Digestion: enzymes break down hemoglobin; waste products are excreted as dark fecal spots that may cause skin irritation.
Salivary proteins trigger immune responses in the host, leading to erythematous, itchy welts that appear 12–48 hours after the bite. Repeated exposure can cause sensitization, resulting in larger or more persistent lesions. The blood meal also provides the nutrients required for egg production; a single female can lay 200–500 eggs after a series of successful feedings.
In summary, the insect’s exclusive reliance on vertebrate blood, combined with specialized mouthparts and a complex salivary cocktail, enables it to feed efficiently while remaining largely undetected. This feeding strategy underpins the species’ success as a pervasive indoor pest.