Cimex lectularius nymph shell / Bed Bug exuvia
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm (depending on life stage; image shows a discarded exoskeleton)
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically hidden in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks in furniture
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they undergo five nymphal stages, shedding their exoskeleton (molting) between each stage after a blood meal
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk of allergic reactions to bites and secondary skin infections; they cause significant psychological distress and are difficult to eradicate, but do not transmit infectious diseases
Identified on: 6/29/2026