Bed Bug (Nymph)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm to 5 mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent/red after feeding, while adults are larger and flat brown).
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments frequented by humans, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (blood feeders), primarily feeding on human blood during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and are attracted to the carbon dioxide and warmth produced by sleeping hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Significant pest that causes itchy welts, allergic reactions, psychological distress, and secondary skin infections from scratching. Benefits: None; they are considered a major domestic nuisance.
Identified on: 1/2/2026