Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (Nymph)
Community identification

Bed Bug (Nymph)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
Nymphs range from 1.5mm to 4.5mm; the individual in the image appears to be a mid-stage nymph.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily preferring human blood but occasionally feeding on other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo five nymphal stages (instars) before reaching adulthood, requiring a blood meal to molt into each successive stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits in human domestic environments.