Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
1mm to 7mm (nymphs to adults)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, primarily found in bedding, mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal pests that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) requiring blood meals to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy bites and potential allergic reactions; they do not transmit diseases but cause significant psychological distress and financial burden for eradication.