Common Bed Bug (Nymph/Early Instar)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm to 5 mm (nymphs to adults); the specimen in the image appears to be an early stage nymph.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily in mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or 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. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt to the next stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions from bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits in a domestic human environment.
Identified on: 4/13/2026