Bed Bug Shell (Exuvia)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5mm to 5mm depending on the life stage of the nymph that shed it
Natural Habitat
Crevices of mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and upholstered furniture in human dwellings.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night. This image shows a shed skin (exuvia), which occurs five times as a nymph matures into an adult.
Risks & Benefits
No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress.
Identified on: 1/7/2026