Can Bed Bugs Have Wings?
WouterThe answer to the question, “Can bed bugs have wings?” is no. They don’t fly but can hide in small cracks without wings. Their wings have been removed by evolution hundreds of years ago. Their initial ancestors may have eaten plant sap or bats for protection. These creatures can survive in small cracks, which is one reason why they were able to survive in caves.
If the wings were functional, bed bugs could fly. However, the wings are merely wing pads. The wing pads on adult bedbugs are small and do not allow them to fly. This feature is not present in baby bedbugs. In their nymphal stage, bedbugs shed their skin, so their wings are not visible.
Since bed bugs can’t fly, they can’t be dangerous to humans. Fortunately, they can still sneak into a room and attach themselves to clothing, luggage, and even hair. But, if you notice a bug on your bed, it probably isn’t a bed bug. It’s more likely a different type of bug.
While there are several species of bugs that resemble bed bugs, there are some that don’t. The closest resemble bed bugs are bat bugs, which have long hairs on their heads and no wings. Other insects with similar looks are spider beetles. These bugs typically live around wooden structures. While bat bugs aren’t dangerous, dead ones can aggravate asthma attacks.
