Bed Bug (exoskeleton/remains)
Scientific Name: 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.
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.
Identified on: 1/5/2026