Community identification
Bed Bug (First-instar nymph)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent)
Natural Habitat
Cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas, such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligatory hematophagy; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolous) via five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
A significant public health pest causing itchy welts, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions; they do not provide ecosystem benefits in domestic settings.