Bed Bug (Early Instar Nymphs)

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent-to-reddish depending on feeding status).

Bed Bug (Early Instar Nymphs)

Natural Habitat

Found in human dwellings, typically hidden in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, five nymphal stages, and adult) and require a blood meal to molt to the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but cause significant household infestation issues.

Identified on: 1/12/2026