Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: Approximately 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed) for adults.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, such as mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night; they are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. Life cycle includes egg, nymphal stages, and adult.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts and psychological distress; they are not known vectors of disease. There are no known benefits to the ecosystem from an anthropocentric perspective.

Identified on: 3/13/2026