Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4–5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed); can expand and change color to reddish-brown when engorged with blood.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Habitats inhabited by humans (dwellings, hotels, transport) near sleeping areas, specifically in cracks and crevices such as bed frames, mattresses, and furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but also feeding on other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis, passing through five nymphal stages that each require a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin rashes, psychological distress (anxiety/insomnia), and allergic reactions to bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits for humans; they are considered a major domestic pest.