Community identification
Possible bed bug (crushed)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera; Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are about 4–7 mm long; the pictured specimen appears crushed, so identification is uncertain.
Natural Habitat
Beds, upholstered furniture, floor cracks, and other sheltered indoor crevices near sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on blood, usually from humans, by piercing skin with a specialized beak.
Behavior Patterns
Mostly nocturnal and hides in cracks during daylight. It cannot fly, but spreads through luggage, clothing, furniture, and wall voids; eggs and shed skins may occur nearby.
Risks & Benefits
Bites can cause itching, allergic reactions, and sleep disruption, but bed bugs are not established vectors of disease. They provide little meaningful ecological benefit indoors.