The Main Features And Anatomy Of A Bed Bug

Bed bugs are by far one of the most invasive pests in the UK. These bugs cause misery to untold numbers of people. Regardless of this, bed bugs are actually quite fascinating. The anatomy of a bed bug has many interesting features.

The colour, size and shape of bed bugs

The first thing you should know about the anatomy of a bed bug, is that they do not have wings. This is highly unusual compared to other insects, most of which have wings. Unlike many insects – especially those that bother humans – these pests are also extremely small.

A fully grown bed bug at the end of its life cycle is only about the size of a seed (5-7mm.) If the bed bug has recently eaten its size may increase slightly (up to 10mm.) This small size is part of the reason why they are able to live in our bedrooms without being noticed. It’s also why they are so difficult to track down and eliminate. When it comes to their appearance, bed bugs have an oval shaped body.

These pests can vary wildly in colour. In fact, this changes dramatically during their lifecycle, and also depending on whether or not they have fed. Newly hatched bed bugs are white and almost completely transparent. As they age, their colour changes and turns a coppery, reddish brown. This colouring includes a series of bands which extend across the bed bug’s body. Also, bed bugs that have recently fed, may have a dark reddish appearance.

Like most insects, bed bugs also have two antennae. These are used to navigate the world around them. They are also used to smell.

Feeding habits and life stages of bed bugs

One of the most fascinating features of the anatomy of a bed bug are their mouths. These bugs have a sharp beak shaped mouth, which is used to pierce the skin and is one of the ways you tell you have bed bugs. They also have a proboscis which is used to inject saliva and suck blood out of your body. This saliva contains an anesthetic, which means you feel nothing while the bug is feeding from you. This saliva also has an anticoagulant, so that your blood flows easily. What’s also interesting about these bugs is that they do not feed very often. Usually only once every 5-10 days.

Bed bugs breed rapidly. The female bed bugs lay between 5-7 eggs per day after picking them up. These hatch in as little as 10-15 days, and the newly hatched bugs are able to reproduce within 6 weeks. The anatomy of a bed bug goes through 7 distinct phases as it reaches adulthood. These include starting life as an egg, five nymph stages, and a final adult stage. As for where they live, bed bugs like to stay close to their human hosts. This is mostly in the area around your bed. They can also be found in luggage, or cupboards near to the bed.