Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Category: insect
Brief Description
A small, parasitic insect that feeds exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals.
Characteristics
Oval-shaped, flat bodies, brownish-red in color (especially after feeding), about 5-7 mm in length with visible segments and wing pads but lacks functional wings.
Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in tight cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattress seams, bed frames, and behind wallpaper.
When to Find It
Year-round, as they thrive in temperature-controlled indoor environments.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Primarily a domestic pest and parasite; they do not play a beneficial role in the human ecosystem and can cause allergic reactions or psychological distress.
Easily Confused With
Swallow bugs or bat bugs (distinguished by hair length under a microscope) and carpet beetle larvae (which are hairy and do not bite).
Observation Tips
Check mattress seams and headboards for dark spotting (excrement) or shed skins. They are most active at night when hosts are sleeping.
Interesting Facts
Bed bugs can survive for months without a blood meal and have become increasingly resistant to many common pesticides.