What does a marble bed bug feed on? - briefly
Marble bed bugs are obligate hematophages that obtain nourishment exclusively from the blood of warm‑blooded vertebrates, chiefly humans. They may also bite birds or other mammals when those hosts are accessible.
What does a marble bed bug feed on? - in detail
The marble‑type bed bug obtains nourishment exclusively from the blood of vertebrate hosts. Adult insects and nymphs insert a needle‑like mouthpart into the skin, locate a capillary, and draw a meal that supplies proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, iron, and water. The blood meal provides all essential amino acids and fatty acids required for growth, molting, and egg production.
Primary hosts include:
- Humans, who constitute the most frequent source in domestic settings.
- Domestic pets such as cats and dogs, especially when human activity is limited.
- Birds that roost in attics or eaves, offering occasional supplemental meals.
- Small mammals (e.g., rodents) that inhabit storage areas or crawl spaces.
Feeding occurs primarily at night when host activity is low, reducing detection risk. After engorgement, the bug retreats to a concealed harbor, where it digests the blood over 4–6 hours. Digestion converts hemoglobin into amino acids and releases heme, which the insect stores for later use. The excreted waste, known as “exuviae,” consists of excess water and nitrogenous compounds eliminated via the Malpighian tubules.
Reproductive cycles depend on the frequency and size of blood meals. Females require at least one full meal to develop a batch of eggs; subsequent meals increase fecundity. In the absence of suitable hosts, the insect can survive several months by lowering metabolic rate, but prolonged starvation leads to mortality.
Environmental factors influencing host selection include temperature, humidity, and the presence of carbon‑dioxide gradients, which guide the bug toward a potential blood source. Chemical cues from skin secretions and body heat also play a role in locating feeding sites.
In summary, the marble bed bug’s diet is strictly hematophagous, targeting a range of warm‑blooded animals, with humans being the predominant source. Blood provides the complete spectrum of nutrients required for development, reproduction, and survival.