Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (Fragment/Cast Skin)
Community identification

Bed Bug (Fragment/Cast Skin)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera / Cimicidae
Size
Adults are 4-5 mm in length; nymphs range from 1.5-4.5 mm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in indoor human environments, typically within mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood, usually at night.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and must molt five times to reach maturity, often leaving behind dark reddish-brown exoskeleton fragments or fecal spotting.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant public health pest.