What does a raspberry bedbug look like? - briefly
The raspberry bedbug is a tiny, oval‑shaped insect measuring roughly 3–5 mm, with a reddish‑brown exoskeleton, dark mottling, and a flattened dorsal surface. It possesses six short legs, a light‑colored speckled abdomen that becomes more pronounced after feeding, and a body shape similar to other cimicids.
What does a raspberry bedbug look like? - in detail
The raspberry bedbug is a small, flattened insect measuring 4–5 mm in length when fully grown. Its body is oval‑shaped, slightly wider at the abdomen, and covered with fine, matte brown hairs that give a dull, berry‑tinted appearance. The dorsal surface displays a uniform reddish‑brown hue, while the ventral side is lighter, ranging from pale tan to creamy white.
Key visual traits include:
- Head: Rounded, bearing a pair of small, beady eyes positioned laterally. The rostrum extends forward, forming a needle‑like proboscis for feeding.
- Antennae: Four-segmented, slender, and dark‑colored, emerging just behind the eyes.
- Thorax: Compact, with three pairs of short, stout legs ending in curved claws adapted for gripping plant surfaces.
- Abdomen: Segmented into seven visible plates; each segment bears a faint, longitudinal line that may darken with age. The terminal segment terminates in a short, pointed tip.
The exoskeleton is soft enough to allow slight expansion after a blood meal, causing the insect to appear swollen and more glossy. No wings are present; the species is entirely wingless, relying on walking and occasional passive transport on fruit.
These characteristics collectively differentiate the raspberry bedbug from other Hemiptera that inhabit berry crops.