Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), smaller in nymph stages; the image shows a crushed specimen with blood smear.
Natural Habitat
In crevices, cracks, mattresses, and bed frames within human dwellings.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Itchy bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases biologically.