Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, and walls
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of vertebrates, primarily humans
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages
Risks & Benefits
No known ecosystem benefits. Risks include allergic reactions to bites, skin rashes, psychological distress, and insomnia; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans.
Identified on: 6/29/2026