Bed Bug Shell (Exuvia)

Crevices of mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and upholstered furniture in human dwellings.

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

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.

No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress.