Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (exoskeleton/remains)
Community identification

Bed Bug (exoskeleton/remains)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size
Adults are 4 to 5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed); nymphs are smaller and lighter in color.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in residential settings, primarily in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and must shed their exoskeletons (molt) to grow.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions from bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant public health pest.