Parts of a Bedbug

Bedbugs are parasitic insects. According to earthlife.net, all insects have a hard exoskeleton, six legs and a body divided into three main parts: a head, thorax and abdomen. Additionally, bedbugs are distinguished from other insects by their long proboscis.

Features

In addition to a proboscis, according to a manual put out by the U.S. Armed Forces, bedbugs have a beak that comes in three sections, antennae that come in four sections and vestigial wings. Their flat bodies are covered in short, gold hairs.

Identification

According to scientist Brian J. Stokes, anatomically, bedbugs are most easily identified by their pointed proboscis and by sculptured bands on their thorax and abdomen.

Function

The flattened anatomy of bedbugs allow them to survive in small spaces near potential hosts. Their proboscis is used to suck blood from these hosts, which the bedbug uses for food.

Significance

Because their anatomy allows them to fit into such small spaces, bedbugs are difficult to find and eliminate, making them tenacious pests.

Expert Insight

According to the U.S. Armed Forces, bedbugs can also be identified by a distinctive musty, sweetish odor given off by glands in their thorax. Also, male bed bugs have pointed abdomens, but females have round ones.

References

• earthlife.net: The Insect Body
• Armed Forces Pest Control Management: Bed Bugs
• "InFocus" journal; Bug's-Eye View; Brian J. Ford, D. J. Stokes; August 2006