Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm (adults), flattened and oval-shaped.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically cracks and crevices near sleeping areas like bed frames, mattresses, and headboards.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, cryptic parasites that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Significant urban pest. Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress/insomnia.

Identified on: 5/21/2026