What do bedbugs primarily feed on?

Bedbugs primarily feed on blood, making this the correct choice. These pests are hematophagous, meaning that they derive their nutrition from the blood of their hosts, which typically includes humans. Bedbugs have specialized mouthparts that allow them to pierce the skin and withdraw blood during their feeding sessions. These sessions can last anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on the size of the bedbug and the amount of blood it consumes.

This feeding behavior is crucial for their reproductive success, as the intake of blood provides the necessary nutrients for female bedbugs to produce eggs. Additionally, bedbugs are known to prefer feeding at night when their hosts are usually unaware, which further facilitates their ability to thrive in human dwellings.

While other options—fruits, wood, and plant sap—suggest alternative sources of nutrition, they do not align with the biological and dietary needs of bedbugs. These pests do not consume plant matter; instead, their entire life cycle and survival depend on drawing blood, underscoring their classification as parasites.