Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (nymph and adult debris)
Community identification

Bed Bug (nymph and adult debris)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
1mm (instar nymphs) to 5-7mm (adults)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices around beds, mattresses, headboards, and upholstered furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagy; 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 (5 nymphal stages) and require a blood meal to molt to the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are a significant pest. No known ecosystem benefits in a domestic human environment.