Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Approximately 4 to 5 mm in length (the size of an apple seed) for adults.
Natural Habitat
In and around human dwellings, most specifically in cracks and crevices of bed frames, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively blood (obligate hematophages), predominantly from humans.
Behavior Patterns
Primarily nocturnal; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal for each stage of development.
Risks & Benefits
No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress (anxiety, insomnia) for residents of infested homes.
Identified on: 4/17/2026