Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.