What does a small domestic bedbug look like? - briefly
A small domestic bedbug is an oval, flat insect about 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown in color, with a pointed head and visible six legs. After a blood meal it expands to roughly 7 mm, becoming plump and lighter in hue.
What does a small domestic bedbug look like? - in detail
A small domestic bed bug measures approximately 1.5–3 mm in length when fully engorged, but unfed individuals are closer to 1 mm. The body is flat and oval, resembling a tiny apple seed. The dorsal surface displays a reddish‑brown hue that darkens after feeding; unfed specimens appear pale tan to light brown. The exoskeleton is smooth, lacking visible hairs or scales.
Key morphological characteristics include:
- Head: Minute, hidden beneath the pronotum, with a pair of short, slender antennae composed of five segments. Antennae are brown and barely extend beyond the head capsule.
- Thorax: The pronotum forms a distinct, shield‑like plate covering the head, edged with a faint, darker line. Three pairs of legs attach to the thorax; each leg ends in a claw‑like pretarsus for gripping fabrics.
- Abdomen: Consists of ten visible segments. Each segment bears a pair of tiny, rounded dorsal plates (tergites) that may show faint transverse striations. The abdomen expands markedly after a blood meal, giving the bug a swollen, balloon‑like appearance.
- Mouthparts: Elongated, beak‑like proboscis located ventrally, adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. The proboscis is concealed within a small groove when not in use.
- Eyes: Simple, light‑colored ocelli positioned on the sides of the head; they are not prominent and provide limited visual capacity.
Nymphal stages resemble adults but are uniformly lighter in color and lack the fully developed abdominal expansion. Each molt adds a darkening of the cuticle, culminating in the adult’s characteristic reddish‑brown tone. The insect lacks wings; all movement occurs through crawling, facilitated by the clawed tarsi. The combination of a flattened, oval body, concealed head, segmented antennae, and a ventral proboscis uniquely identifies the species among common household pests.