Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, particularly near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and cracks or crevices in walls.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood, though they may occasionally feed on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. Their life cycle includes five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress (anxiety/insomnia). They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits for humans.