
Community identification
Bed Bug (Early Stage Nymph)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- Nymphs range from 1.5 mm to 4 mm; adults reach 5 to 7 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found in close proximity to human sleeping areas, including mattresses, bed frames, electronics, and cracks in furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (blood-feeders), typically feeding on human blood but occasionally on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night, attracted by carbon dioxide and body heat. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, heavy infestations can cause anemia.