Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm in length (adults), increasing slightly after a blood meal.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human dwellings, typically nesting in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames near sleeping hosts.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but may feed on other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, and adult).

Risks & Benefits

Significant household pest that causes itchy, red welts through bites. While they do not transmit diseases, they can cause psychological distress, allergic reactions, and sleep deprivation.