Bed bug (Nymph)

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae

Size: 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (depending on life stage)

Bed bug (Nymph)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors, primarily in residential dwellings, hotels, and shelters; typically hides in or near beds, furniture crevices, or baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they undergo five nymphal stages (instars) and require a blood meal before each molt. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy bites and potential for secondary skin infections or allergic reactions; they also cause significant psychological distress and are difficult to eradicate. They provide no known ecosystem benefits in human habitats.

Identified on: 4/1/2026