Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- Approximately 4 to 5 mm in length, roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Found globally, primarily in human dwellings within cracks, crevices, bedding, and furniture 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 emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy red welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are major household pests; there are no known benefits to the ecosystem.