recent bites from bed bugs

Originally uploaded by louento.pix

Another bed bug bite photo from entomologist Lou Sorkin, who feeds his “pet” bed bug colony regularly. As odd as this seems to someone going through bed bugs, researchers like Lou go through all this just to learn more about our enemy, Mr. Cimex Lectularius. And you know the saying, “someone has to do it”? Well, no one actually has to, in this case. So thank goodness they do!

Lou says of this photo,

“Bites from bed bug adult and nymphs. First, second instars of nymphs. Adult bed bug fed on top of left vertical-positioned vein. There was no appreciable size difference between adult and nymph bites. The initial swelling reaction subsides around 30 minutes after bites and feeding.”

Bedbugger S. also found that when she tested her bite reactions (actually watching bed bugs bite her in a laboratory setting), her adult and nymph bites were not discernable from one another in size or appearance.

Remember, click the photo, then “all sizes” then “large” to view in all its glory.  And note: the purplish mark on the lower right is a birthmark, not a bed bug bite reaction!

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Left hand, mm rule, 6 hours after Cimex feeding

Originally uploaded by louento.pix
Lou Sorkin says, of this bed bug bite photo:

6 hours after feeding 2 adults and 30 bed bug nymphs. Initially bite sites were raised bumps and somewhat itchy. Within 30 minutes swelling subsides, itching stops, but small red dots left where bed bugs had been feeding.

No difference in size of bumps left by feeding nymphs vs. adult bugs. Large red blotches on lower right at thumb base and along lower wrist are birth marks (port-wine stain or naevus flammeus), not bed-bug related.

(Click on the photo, then “all sizes” then “large” to see in detail.)

Thanks, Lou!

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