
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.
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.