
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically in mattress seams, bed frames, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, feeding exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge from hiding at night to feed. They move by crawling and do not fly or jump; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis through five nymphal stages.
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 known ecosystem benefits for this species in human environments.