Bug Identifier
Likely bed bug (nymph or adult)
Community identification

Likely bed bug (nymph or adult)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera; Cimicidae
Size
About 1–7 mm long, depending on life stage; the pictured specimen appears several millimeters long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Hides near sleeping areas—in mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, and cracks—and emerges to feed on people at night.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds mainly on human blood; may also bite other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Flat, reddish-brown, wingless insects that hide during the day. Females lay eggs in protected crevices; infestations spread through transported belongings and furniture.

Risks & Benefits

Bites can cause itchy welts and disturbed sleep, but bed bugs are not known to transmit disease. The photo is suggestive, but a clear close-up would be needed for reliable identification.