Bed Bug (Crushed)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm (adults) or smaller for nymphs; the crushed specimen shown is approximately 1-2 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically hidden in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous insects, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, adult) and the red color in the image is indicative of a recent blood meal being expelled when crushed.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, skin rashes, psychological distress, and insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant public health pest. There are no ecological benefits in human environments.
Identified on: 5/5/2026