Community identification
Bed Bug (Nymph/Egg)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 4.5mm depending on life stage; nymphs are small, translucent, or yellow.
Natural Habitat
Found in indoor human environments, specifically in cracks and crevices of bedding, mattresses, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis consisting of five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
They are a significant public health pest. Risks include skin rashes, allergic symptoms, and psychological distress. They do not provide ecosystem benefits in human dwellings.