Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4–5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices in furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; 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 molt into the next life stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions to bites. They are considered a significant public health pest, though they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits in a domestic setting.