Bed bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4–5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically nesting in cracks, crevices, upholstery, mattress seams, and headboards near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (blood-feeders), primarily targeting human blood but capable of feeding on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, and adult) and require a blood meal for each molt and egg production.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include physical reactions to bites (itching, welts, or allergic reactions) and psychological distress/insomnia. While they carry pathogens, they are not currently known to transmit diseases to humans. They offer no known ecological benefits to human environments.