Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed) for adults; nymphs are smaller and lighter in color.
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattress seams, bed frames, and baseboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for several months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions from bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 1/14/2026