Bed Bug (Shed Skin/Exuvia)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, such as mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and headboards.

Diet & Feeding

The living insect feeds exclusively on blood (hematophagy), usually from humans, though they can feed on other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Bed bugs are nocturnal and elusive. They go through 5 nymphal stages, shedding their skin (molting) at each stage to grow. The image likely shows one of these discarded exoskeletons (exuviae).

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Bed bugs cause itchy, irritating bites and significant psychological distress. They are not known to transmit disease but are major nuisance pests. Benefit: None to humans or household ecosystems.

Identified on: 2/28/2026