What does a dried bedbug look like? - briefly
«A desiccated bedbug is flat, brown‑to‑tan, with a shrunken, leathery exoskeleton and visible segment outlines.»
«The body is brittle, the abdomen appears collapsed, and the legs are tucked close to the thorax.»
What does a dried bedbug look like? - in detail
A desiccated bed bug presents a markedly altered morphology compared to its active stage. The exoskeleton becomes brittle and translucent, allowing underlying internal structures to be faintly visible. The body length remains roughly 4–5 mm, but the overall shape appears flattened and shrunken.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Color shift: the typical reddish‑brown hue fades to a pale, almost grayish tone as moisture evaporates.
- Surface texture: the cuticle loses its glossy sheen, becoming matte and easily crumbled when touched.
- Appendage condition: legs and antennae are shortened, often curled inward, and may detach from the main body.
- Abdomen definition: segmentation becomes less distinct; the dorsal plates (tergites) appear fused and less pronounced.
Internally, the abdomen may appear collapsed, with the gut contents depleted, resulting in a hollowed appearance. The eyes, normally dark spots, turn milky or disappear entirely. Respiratory spiracles, once visible as tiny openings, become inconspicuous due to cuticular hardening.
Overall, a dried specimen is lightweight, fragile, and exhibits a muted, ghost‑like coloration that contrasts sharply with the vivid coloration of a living individual.