Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (around the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in bed frames, mattresses, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Significant household pest. Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress/insomnia. No known benefits to the ecosystem or humans.