Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm (nymphs) to 5 mm (adults), about the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically hiding in mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Mainly nocturnal; they emerge at night to feed. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis across five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to advance to the next stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy red welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits to the ecosystem or humans.
Identified on: 1/6/2026