Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, floors, and walls.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeding), primarily on humans but also on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt to the next stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include allergic reactions to bites, skin rashes, psychological distress, and insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans; they are considered a significant urban pest.