Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed) for adults; nymphs are smaller and translucent.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily beds, mattresses, and cracks and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-eaters), primarily feeding on human blood during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They hide during the day and emerge at night, attracted by the warmth and carbon dioxide of a sleeping host. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While not known to transmit diseases, they are significant household pests. No known ecological benefits in domestic settings.
Identified on: 4/25/2026