Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, emerging at night to feed. They undergo a simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, and secondary skin infections from scratching; they are also known to cause psychological distress and insomnia. They have no known ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 6/8/2026