Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm (adults are roughly the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt to the next life stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, psychological distress, and secondary infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.