Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (Crushed)
Community identification

Bed Bug (Crushed)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera; Family Cimicidae
Size
1mm to 7mm depending on life stage and feeding status
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, adult) and require a blood meal to molt to the next stage

Risks & Benefits

Significant household pest. They cause itchy welts, psychological distress, and potential secondary skin infections from scratching; however, they are not known vectors for disease transmission