Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera / Cimicidae

Size: 1.5 mm (nymphs) to 5 mm (adults), typically the size of an apple seed.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, primarily hiding in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture near human sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive. They are attracted to CO2 and body heat; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, adult) and require a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress or insomnia.

Identified on: 12/26/2025