Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
4 mm to 7 mm in length (about the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human dwellings, typically nesting in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of humans and occasionally other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal, emerging from hiding at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, heavy infestations can cause anemia. They provide no known ecosystem benefits in human environments.