
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.
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.