Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

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

Natural Habitat

Indoor human environments, particularly in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and secretive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without a meal.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risk of itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. While they harbor pathogens, they are not known vectors of human disease. They provide no significant ecosystem benefits in indoor settings.