Who do bedbugs not eat? - briefly
Bedbugs are obligate hematophagous parasites that feed exclusively on the blood of warm‑blooded vertebrates. They do not consume plants, other insects, or any non‑blood food sources.
Who do bedbugs not eat? - in detail
Bedbugs are obligate hematophages; they require vertebrate blood to survive and reproduce. Their mouthparts are adapted to pierce skin and locate capillaries, limiting their diet to warm‑blooded animals that provide accessible blood meals.
Mammals, including humans, dogs, cats, rodents, and livestock, constitute the primary sources of nourishment. Birds also serve as occasional hosts, especially when they roost in close proximity to infested human dwellings. Reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates are not viable food sources. Their blood is either too cold, lacks the necessary pressure, or is protected by scales, mucus, or exoskeletons that prevent the insect’s proboscis from penetrating effectively.
Additionally, bedbugs cannot digest plant material, nectar, or carrion. Their digestive enzymes are specialized for processing mammalian and avian hemoglobin; other organic substances are inert or harmful. Consequently, insects such as ants, cockroaches, and other arthropods are ignored, as they do not provide the required blood nutrients.
In summary, the insect’s feeding range excludes:
- Cold‑blooded vertebrates (reptiles, amphibians, fish)
- Non‑vertebrate organisms (insects, arachnids, crustaceans)
- Plant matter and dead animal tissue
These limitations arise from physiological constraints of the proboscis, temperature preference, and enzymatic specialization for vertebrate blood.