Diagnostic Findings [Last Modified: ]
Bed Bugs
[Cimex hemipterus] [Cimex lectularius]
Causal Agent Life Cycle Geographic Distribution Clinical Features Laboratory Diagnosis Treatment

Microscopy

Adult bed bugs are on average 5 mm long, oval-shaped and dorso-ventrally flattened.  Like other members of the order, Hemiptera, they possess piercing-sucking mouthparts.  Adults are brachypterous; the hindwings are nearly absent and the forewings are reduced to small, leathery pads.  Nymphs look like smaller, paler versions of the adults.

Cimex lectularius Cimex lectularius pronotum
A B

A: Adult of C. lectularius.
B: Higher magnification of the specimen in Figure A.  Note the reduced forewings (arrow).

Cimex lectularius ventral Cimex lectularius mouthparts
C D

C: Ventral view of the specimen in Figure A.
D: Higher-magnification of the specimen in Figure C.  Note the typical hemipteran piercing-sucking mouthparts (arrow).

Cimex lectularius nymph

E

E: Nymph of C. lectularius.  The blue marks represent 1 mm.

 
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