Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Approximately 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Typically found in cracks and crevices within human dwellings, particularly in furniture, mattresses, and bedding.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that prefer to feed while the host is asleep. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult phases) and can survive for months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans; they are considered significant household pests.
Identified on: 6/6/2026