Community identification
Bed Bug (Nymph)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (nymphs are smaller and lighter in color than adults).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy bites and potential allergic reactions; they are significant psychological stressors and difficult to eradicate. They provide no known benefits to the ecosystem or humans.