
Community identification
Bed Bug (Nymph/Egg casing residue)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- Nymphs: 1.5mm to 4.5mm; Adults: 5mm to 7mm; Eggs: ~1mm
Natural Habitat
Nests near host sleeping areas; commonly found in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks in furniture or walls.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (feeds exclusively on blood, primarily from humans).
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt into the next stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases but are a major domestic pest. Benefits: None to humans or standard ecosystems.