Bed Bug (Early Instar Nymph)

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 1.5 mm to 2 mm (for early nymphal stages)

Bed Bug (Early Instar Nymph)

Natural Habitat

Found in human dwellings, typically hidden in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge from hiding spots 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 welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans.

Identified on: 1/1/2026