Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (adults); smaller and translucent as nymphs.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but will bite other warm-blooded animals if necessary.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each growth stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include physical discomfort from itchy bites, allergic reactions, and potential psychological impacts like anxiety or insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases but are difficult and expensive pests to eradicate; there are no known ecosystem benefits for this species in human environments.