
Community identification
Bed Bug (nymph or engorged adult)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 1.5 mm (nymph) to 5.5 mm (adult)
Natural Habitat
Typically found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames near sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are significant urban pests.