Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm (4-5mm for adults); nymph stages are smaller and lighter in color.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically in cracks and crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and anxiety; they are not known to transmit diseases but are significant household pests. No known ecosystem benefits.