Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 mm to 7 mm in length (the specimen in the image appears to be a nymph or a small adult shell casing)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found globally in human dwellings, typically residing in cracks, crevices, bed frames, mattresses, and behind wallpaper in sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but also feeding on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge at night to feed and hide during the day. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, adult) and require blood meals to progress through life stages.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy red welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress or insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits for humans.