Community identification
Bed Bug (Crushed/Blood Spot)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) long; this image appears to show a crushed specimen or blood smear.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically near human sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture crevices.
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 from egg to nymph to adult.
Risks & Benefits
A significant household pest. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, psychological distress, and secondary skin infections from scratching; they are not known to transmit diseases.