Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: 4 mm to 7 mm in length (adults); about the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically in crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and behind wallpaper in close proximity to 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, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions to bites. They do not typically transmit diseases but are a significant pest and nuisance. There are no known ecosystem benefits in human environments.
Identified on: 12/27/2025