What types of bedbugs exist and what do they look like? - briefly
Common bedbug species are the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius), the tropical bedbug (Cimex hemipterus), and the bat bug (Cimex pilosellus); each is a small (≈4–5 mm), oval, reddish‑brown insect with a flat, wingless body that swells after feeding.
What types of bedbugs exist and what do they look like? - in detail
Bedbugs belong to the family Cimicidae, with the most common pest being the common bedbug (Cimex lectularius). Several other species affect humans and animals, each displaying distinctive morphological traits.
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Cimex lectularius – the primary human‑infesting species. Adults measure 4.5–5.5 mm in length, have a flat, oval body that becomes distinctly swollen after feeding. Color ranges from pale brown to deep reddish‑brown; after a blood meal the abdomen darkens to a mahogany hue. Antennae consist of five segments; the rostrum (piercing mouthpart) extends forward, and the wings are vestigial, covered by a hardened exoskeleton.
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Cimex hemipterus – the tropical bedbug, prevalent in warm climates. Similar size to C. lectularius but often slightly larger (up to 6 mm). The dorsal surface exhibits a lighter, tan coloration with a faint, speckled pattern. After engorgement the abdomen expands to a bright red, contrasting with the lighter thorax.
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Leptocimex boueti – a species primarily associated with birds but occasionally found in human dwellings. Adults are smaller, about 3 mm long, with a slender, elongated body. The coloration is uniformly light brown, lacking the pronounced reddish post‑feeding hue of the common species.
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Cimex pilosellus – a bat‑associated bedbug. Length averages 4 mm; the body is covered with fine setae giving a slightly fuzzy appearance. Coloration is a muted gray‑brown, and the wings remain reduced.
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Afrocimex constrictus – a rodent‑infesting species found in Africa. Adults reach 5 mm, possess a robust, oval shape, and display a dark brown to black dorsal surface. The abdomen shows a subtle glossy sheen after feeding.
Key identification features across all species include:
- Body shape – dorsoventrally flattened, oval, expanding markedly when engorged.
- Size – 3–6 mm for mature insects; nymphs are proportionally smaller, lacking wing pads.
- Color change – pale before feeding, turning reddish‑brown or black after blood intake.
- Antennae and rostrum – five‑segmented antennae; elongated rostrum for piercing skin.
- Wings – reduced, non‑functional, concealed beneath the hardened forewings (hemelytra).
Nymphal stages resemble adults but are translucent, lacking the distinctive post‑feeding coloration. Recognizing these physical characteristics enables accurate differentiation among bedbug species and informs effective control measures.