Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters (adults are roughly the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and baseboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligately hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Mainly nocturnal; they emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). After a blood meal, they appear engorged and reddish-brown, similar to the specimen in the image.
Risks & Benefits
They are a significant public health pest. While not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They provide no known ecological benefits in human environments.