What does a sleeping bedbug look like? - briefly
A sleeping bed bug is a flat, oval insect about 4–5 mm long, pale brown to reddish, with its legs tucked beneath the body in a characteristic “C‑shaped” posture. Its abdomen looks slightly swollen and the eyes are not visible.
What does a sleeping bedbug look like? - in detail
A bedbug that is not actively feeding appears flattened, oval, and reddish‑brown. The dorsal surface is smooth, lacking noticeable hairs, while the ventral side shows a slightly lighter shade. Its body length ranges from 4.5 mm to 5.5 mm; width is about 2 mm. When motionless, the legs are tucked close to the body, giving the insect a compact silhouette.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Color: muted mahogany to rust, darkening after a blood meal.
- Shape: elongated, egg‑shaped, with a clearly defined head‑thorax‑abdomen segmentation.
- Antennae: four-segmented, slender, positioned near the front of the head.
- Eyes: small, dark, situated on the sides of the head; not prominent.
- Mouthparts: concealed under the head, adapted for piercing skin.
- Wings: absent; the insect is wingless.
- Exoskeleton: hard, chitinous, providing a glossy sheen when dry.
In a sleeping posture, the bedbug’s legs are extended slightly outward to maintain balance, but they remain close enough that the overall profile stays tight. The abdomen may show faint, pale spots where the cuticle is thinner, especially in newly emerged individuals. These details differentiate a resting bedbug from other small arthropods such as fleas or ticks.