
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices of beds, furniture, and wall junctions near human sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive insects that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include physical reactions like itchy welts, insomnia, and anxiety. While not known to transmit diseases, they are significant household pests. No known ecological benefits in domestic settings.