Bug Identifier
Common Bed Bug (Nymph or Remnant)
Community identification

Common Bed Bug (Nymph or Remnant)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size
1.5 mm (nymphs) to 5 mm (adults) in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically within human sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, wallpaper, and floorboard crevices.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive. They hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt into the next instar.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include red, itchy welts from bites, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant public health pest. No ecosystem benefits.