Community identification
Bed Bug (Crushed/Dead Body)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bedside furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal feeders that hide during the day. They go through five nymphal stages before reaching adulthood, requiring a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress; however, they are not known to transmit diseases.