Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (nymph or engorged adult)
Community identification

Bed Bug (nymph or engorged adult)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera / Cimicidae
Size
1.5 mm (nymph) to 5.5 mm (adult)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.