What does a male bed bug look like? - briefly
Male bed bugs are about 4–5 mm long, brown to reddish‑brown, with a flat, oval body and a slender abdomen. They lack the enlarged, blood‑filled abdomen that characterizes fed females.
What does a male bed bug look like? - in detail
Male Cimex lectularius are small, flattened insects measuring 4.5–5.3 mm in length, slightly shorter than females. The exoskeleton is uniformly reddish‑brown, fading to a lighter hue after feeding. The dorsal surface lacks the swollen abdomen typical of engorged females, remaining relatively tapered.
Key morphological traits that separate males from females include:
- Abdomen: narrow, without the pronounced distension seen in egg‑carrying females.
- Genital capsule: a visible, sclerotized structure at the posterior tip of the abdomen, often appearing as a tiny, darkened knob.
- Absence of a visible ovipositor: males do not possess the elongated, needle‑like organ used by females for egg deposition.
- Antennae: five segmented, each segment covered with fine sensory hairs; the length is proportionate to the body, not markedly elongated.
- Legs: six legs, each ending in a pair of curved claws that aid in clinging to fabric; the tibiae bear small spines for traction.
- Rostrum: a slender, needle‑like mouthpart adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood; its length is comparable in both sexes.
The overall coloration, body shape, and the presence of the genital capsule provide reliable visual cues for identifying a male specimen without resort‑level magnification.