Bed Bug (Nymph phase)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent/yellowish)
Natural Habitat
Domestic environments, specifically beds, furniture, and cracks/crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. Nymphs require a blood meal to molt into the next life stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are significant household pests that cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. Unlike many other blood-sucking insects, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: None.
Identified on: 12/31/2025