Cimicoidea

This digitally-colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed on the dorsal exoskeletal surface of a bedbug, Cimex lectularius. A member of the phylum Arthropoda, this insect has three pairs of jointed legs, hence the name, Arthro = jointed, and poda = legs. What appeared to be hair was not hair at all, but sensory structures known as setae, and are composed of chitin, the same material as the rest of this organism’s exoskeleton. Chitin is a molecule made up of bound units of acetylglucosamine, joined in such a way as to allow for increased points at which hydrogen bonding can occur. In this way chitin provides increased strength, and durability as an exoskeletal foundation.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory.Created: 2009

This highly-magnified scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed on the rostral head region of a bedbug, Cimex lectularius. Note the distal anatomical relationships of the insect’s skin piercing mouthparts used to obtain its blood meal.Clinical Features:Created: 2009

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed on the dorsal exoskeletal surface of the head region of a bedbug, Cimex lectularius. A member of the phylum Arthropoda, this insect has three pairs of jointed legs, hence the name, Arthro = jointed, and poda = legs. What appeared to be hair was not hair at all, but sensory structures known as setae, and are composed of chitin, the same material as the rest of this organism’s exoskeleton. Chitin is a molecule made up of bound units of acetylglucosamine, joined in such a way as to allow for increased points at which hydrogen bonding can occur. In this way chitin provides increased strength, and durability as an exoskeletal foundation.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory.Created: 2009

This 2006 photograph depicted an oblique-dorsal view of a bedbug nymph, Cimex lectularius, as it was in the process of ingesting a blood meal from the arm of a voluntary human host.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory.The common bedbug is found worldwide. Infestations are common in the developing world, occurring in settings of unsanitary living conditions and severe crowding. In North America and Western Europe, bedbug infestations became rare during the second half of the 20th century and have been viewed as a condition that occurs in travelers returning from developing countries. However, anecdotal reports suggest that bedbugs are increasingly common in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.Created: 2006

This 2006 photograph depicted an anterosuperior view, i.e., from the front and above, of an adult bedbug, Cimex lectularius, as it was in the process of ingesting a blood meal from the arm of a voluntary human host.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory.The common bedbug C. lectularius is a wingless, red-brown, blood-sucking insect that grows up to 7 mm in length and has a lifespan from 4 months up to 1 year. Bedbugs hide in cracks and crevices in beds, wooden furniture, floors, and walls during the daytime and emerge at night to feed on their preferred host, humans.Created: 2006

This 2006 photograph depicted a lateral view of an adult bedbug, Cimex lectularius, as it was in the process of ingesting a blood meal from the arm of a voluntary human host.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory. Bedbug bites are difficult to diagnose due to the variability in bite response between people, and due to the change in skin reaction for the same person over time. It is best to collect and identify bedbugs to confirm bites. Bedbugs are responsible for loss of sleep, discomfort, disfiguring from numerous bites and occasionally bites may become infected.Created: 2006

This 2006 photograph depicted a dorsal view of a bedbug nymph, Cimex lectularius, as it was in the process of ingesting a blood meal from the arm of a voluntary human host, which could be seen filling the insect’s abdomen.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory.The common bedbug is found worldwide. Infestations are common in the developing world, occurring in settings of unsanitary living conditions and severe crowding. In North America and Western Europe, bedbug infestations became rare during the second half of the 20th century and have been viewed as a condition that occurs in travelers returning from developing countries. However, anecdotal reports suggest that bedbugs are increasingly common in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.Created: 2006

This 2006 photograph depicted a lateral view of an adult bedbug, Cimex lectularius, as it was in the process of ingesting a blood meal from the arm of a voluntary human host.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory. Bedbug bites are difficult to diagnose due to the variability in bite response between people, and due to the change in skin reaction for the same person over time. It is best to collect and identify bedbugs to confirm bites. Bedbugs are responsible for loss of sleep, discomfort, disfiguring from numerous bites and occasionally bites may become infected.Created: 2006

This 2006 photograph depicted a frontal view of an adult bedbug, Cimex lectularius, as it was in the process of ingesting a blood meal from the arm of a voluntary human host.Bedbugs are not vectors in nature of any known human disease. Although some disease organisms have been recovered from bedbugs under laboratory conditions, none have been shown to be transmitted by bedbugs outside of the laboratory. Bedbug bites are difficult to diagnose due to the variability in bite response between people, and due to the change in skin reaction for the same person over time. It is best to collect and identify bedbugs to confirm bites. Bedbugs are responsible for loss of sleep, discomfort, disfiguring from numerous bites and occasionally bites may become infected.Created: 2006