What does a dog bug look? - briefly
A dog bug is a minute, flat, oval insect about 1–3 mm long, with a reddish‑brown or dark brown exoskeleton and six visible legs when mature; its larvae are tiny, white, worm‑like bodies lacking legs.
What does a dog bug look? - in detail
A canine parasite commonly referred to as a “dog bug” is a small arachnid with a flattened, oval body measuring 2–5 mm when unfed. Its dorsal surface is a dark brown to reddish hue, often speckled with lighter spots that become more pronounced after engorgement. The organism possesses eight legs, each ending in tiny claws that aid in clinging to fur. The mouthparts consist of a short, needle‑like hypostome used to pierce skin and a pair of palps for sensory detection.
Key visual markers include:
- Body segmentation: Two main shields—the scutum covering the front half and the idiosoma behind—clearly defined by a slight groove.
- Eyes: Two simple eyes located near the front edge of the scutum, appearing as tiny dark dots.
- Silk glands: A small opening on the underside of the idiosoma, through which a thin, white thread may be extruded when the creature is disturbed.
- Color changes: After feeding, the abdomen expands and shifts to a grayish‑blue or purplish tone, reflecting the ingested blood.
During the larval stage, the organism is smaller (≈0.5 mm), lacks legs, and exhibits a pale, translucent body. Nymphs retain the adult’s shape but are lighter in color and lack the fully developed scutum. All stages are capable of moving quickly across a dog’s coat, especially in warm, humid environments.
The combination of size, coloration, segmented shields, and distinctive mouthparts enables reliable identification of this parasite on dogs.