Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Primarily found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders, primarily targeting humans during the night.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that emerge from hiding spots at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress; they are not known to transmit diseases but are a major nuisance pest.