Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
1 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in bed frames, mattresses, crevices, and soft furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; 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 (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, infestations are difficult to eradicate. No known ecosystem benefits in human environments.