Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 millimeters (similar to the size of an apple seed).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments; specifically in cracks and crevices, mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; 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) and require a blood meal for each life stage transition.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy bites and potential allergic reactions; they do not typically transmit diseases but can cause significant psychological distress and sleep deprivation. There are no known ecosystem benefits.