Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and bed frames near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, feeding almost exclusively on human blood, though they may feed on other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require blood meals to transition between stages.

Risks & Benefits

While they do not transmit diseases, their bites cause itching, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress. They are considered a major urban pest with no ecological benefits to human environments.