Community identification
Bed bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically in cracks of furniture, bedding, and walls near human sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); they primarily feed on the blood of humans, typically at night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and are attracted to the CO2 and body heat of hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but can cause secondary skin infections from scratching. No ecosystem benefits.