Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm in length (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for several months without a meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy, red welts from bites, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans; they are considered a major pest.
Identified on: 6/13/2026