Bed Bug (Exoskeleton/Shell Casing fragment)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: Adults are 4-5 mm; nymphs range from 1-4 mm. Fragments like this are often very small (1-2mm).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically tucked into mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, shedding their skins (molting) five times before reaching maturity. This image appears to be a discarded nymphal skin or a fragment of a dead specimen.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts/allergic reactions from bites, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. They are not known to transmit diseases but are significant household pests that require professional eradication.
Identified on: 12/30/2025