Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily found in cracks and crevices, bed frames, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits for these insects in human environments.