Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are typically 4–5 mm (about 1/4 inch) long; nymphs are smaller and translucent before feeding.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and behind wallpaper or baseboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. After feeding, they retreat to hidden aggregations to digest and reproduce. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are a significant nuisance pest. There are no known ecological benefits to their presence in human dwellings.