Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily found in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood at night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and are attracted to the carbon dioxide and warmth emitted by hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 1/2/2026