Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: 4–5 mm (about the size of an apple seed); can reach up to 7 mm after feeding.
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide, primarily in human dwellings like homes, hotels, and dormitories, hiding in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and 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 incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are major household pests. There are no ecological benefits in human environments.
Identified on: 4/16/2026