Cimicidae nymph (Bed Bug nymph)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (nymph stages)
Natural Habitat
Domestic environments, specifically beds, furniture, and cracks/crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophage; feeds exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal feeders that use heat and CO2 to locate hosts; they undergo five nymphal stages (instars) requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Significant nuisance pest causing itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress; not known to transmit diseases to humans.
Identified on: 1/9/2026