Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (Crushed)
Community identification

Bed Bug (Crushed)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm (unfed adults); slightly larger and elongated when engorged with blood.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt between each stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecosystem benefits.