Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm (approximately the size of an apple seed when adult).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and bed frames near hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-eaters), primarily feeding on human blood during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they undergo simple metamorphosis through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include allergic reactions to bites, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia.