Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (fed nymph/remnant)
Community identification

Bed Bug (fed nymph/remnant)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
1.5 mm to 5 mm depending on life stage and feeding status.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in residential settings, specifically in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive, they emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, adult) and require a blood meal to molt to the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

While not known to transmit diseases, their bites cause itching, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress. They are considered a major urban pest requiring professional eradication.