Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1.5 mm (nymph) to 7 mm (adult)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily found in cracks and crevices of mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous: they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, preferably humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, cryptic insects that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each stage.
Risks & Benefits
They cause itchy, red welts and potential psychological distress or allergic reactions; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a major urban pest.