Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically nesting in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning 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 hemimetabolous metamorphosis, passing through five nymphal stages that each require a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, skin rashes, and psychological distress/insomnia. No documented ecosystem benefits in human environments; they are considered a significant domestic pest.