
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.
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.