Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (Nymph)
Community identification

Bed Bug (Nymph)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (nymphs), up to 7 mm (adults)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically within cracks, crevices, upholstery, mattresses, and bed frames where humans sleep.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; 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 (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each of the five nymphal stages.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits to their presence in human dwellings.