What does a bedbug have? - briefly
A bedbug possesses a flattened, oval body about 4–5 mm long, a hard exoskeleton, six legs, antennae, compound eyes, and a specialized proboscis for piercing skin and sucking blood. It can endure months without a blood meal, allowing it to persist in infested environments.
What does a bedbug have? - in detail
Bed bugs possess a compact, dorsoventrally flattened body approximately 4–5 mm long when fully engorged. Their exoskeleton is composed of a tough, chitinous cuticle that provides structural support and protection against desiccation. The body is divided into three primary regions: head, thorax, and abdomen.
The head bears a pair of elongated, antennae equipped with sensory receptors for chemical and thermal cues. Two compound eyes are reduced, offering limited visual perception; instead, chemoreceptors on the antennae dominate host detection. Beneath the head, a piercing‑sucking rostrum (proboscis) contains stylet fascicles that penetrate skin to access blood vessels.
The thorax supports three pairs of legs, each ending in a clawed tarsus that enables rapid movement across fabrics and vertical surfaces. Leg segments contain sensory hairs that detect vibrations and temperature gradients. Two membranous wings are present but vestigial, never used for flight.
The abdomen contains a series of ten visible dorsal tergites and a ventral sternite series. Internally, a specialized digestive tract processes blood meals, storing excess protein in a distended midgut. Excretory function is performed by Malpighian tubules, which regulate water balance. Reproductive organs include paired ovaries in females, capable of producing up to five egg batches over a lifetime; males possess a single testis and an intromittent organ.
Additional features:
- Respiratory system: a network of tracheae with spiracles located laterally on abdominal segments.
- Nervous system: a ventral nerve cord with ganglia in each body segment, coordinating locomotion and feeding behavior.
- Sensory adaptations: thermoreceptors on the cuticle detect host body heat; hygrosensors monitor ambient humidity.
Collectively, these anatomical and physiological components enable bed bugs to locate hosts, ingest blood, reproduce, and survive in indoor environments.