Bed Bug (blood stain)
Cimex lectularius (presumed from blood stain)
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- Adult bed bugs are typically 4-5 mm (0.16-0.20 inches) long. The image shows a blood stain, which would be smaller.
Natural Habitat
Bed bugs typically live in close proximity to human hosts, often in mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices in walls and furniture in homes, hotels, and other human dwellings.
Diet & Feeding
Bed bugs are obligate hematophagous insects, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal feeders, bed bugs typically emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They are known for their secretive nature and can be difficult to detect. The presence of a blood stain (as seen in the image) can be an indicator of a bed bug being crushed after feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include itchy red welts from bites, allergic reactions in some individuals, and secondary skin infections from scratching. Bed bugs have not been shown to transmit diseases. There are no known benefits of bed bugs to humans or the ecosystem.