Male bedbug's sexual organ. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the intromittant organ or sexual organ of a male bedbug (Cimex lectularius). During

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Male bedbug's sexual organ. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the intromittant organ or sexual organ of a male bedbug (Cimex lectularius). During mating, the male pierces the body wall of one of the female's abdominal segments with this organ and deposits his sperm in a sac. The sperm then migrate through the body cavity to the seminal conceptacles, where they are stored ready for later fertilisation. Among the insects, this so-called traumatic insemination is unique to bedbugs and related families. Two to four generations of young can be bred yearly. The bedbug is a nocturnal parasite that feeds on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. It inhabits human dwelling places, living in mattresses, upholstery and flooring. Magnification x2625 (x545 at 10cm wide).

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Size: 5687px × 3938px
Photo credit: © POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: aedeagus, bed, bedbug, bloodsucker, bug, cimex, cimicidae, copulation, electron, flagellum, genitalia, insect, insemination, intromittant, lectularius, mating, micrograph, microscope, organ, parasite, penis, reproduction, scanning, sem, sexual, sperm, traumatic