Common Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
Cimicidae (Bed Bugs), Order Hemiptera
Physical Description
Small, oval, flattened body shape designed to fit into narrow crevices. Adults are reddish-brown, wingless, and resemble an apple seed in shape and size.
Size Estimate
4 to 5 mm in length for adults.
Coloration & Markings
Mahogany to reddish-brown coloration, turning a darker, swollen reddish hue after a blood meal.
Web Type
None. This insect does not build webs or fly.
Eye Arrangement
Two small compound eyes situated on the sides of the head.
Leg Characteristics
Six short legs adapted for crawling on fabric, wood, and rough surfaces.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Non-venomous. They do not inject venom; instead, they inject saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetics while feeding.
Medical Significance
Not known to transmit infectious diseases, but bites can cause localized skin irritation, allergic reactions, severe itching, and psychological distress.
Safety Recommendations
Inspect second-hand furniture, wash bedding in high heat, use mattress encasements, and consult professional pest control services if an infestation is confirmed.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Cosmopolitan distribution; found worldwide associated with human dwellings, specifically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and cracks in furniture.
Behavior & Temperament
Nocturnal and highly secretive. Hides in dark crevices during the day and emerges at night to feed on a host.
Diet & Prey
Exclusively hematophagous (feeds on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals).
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round indoors due to climate-controlled environments.
Description
Although commonly mistaken for a spider or tick due to its small size and dark coloration, the common bed bug is actually a wingless parasitic insect. Well-adapted to human environments, it hides discreetly during the day and feeds on blood at night.
Key Features
Flat, oval, reddish-brown wingless body, roughly the size of an apple seed, found near sleeping areas.
Similar Species
Bat bugs (Cimex pilosellus), swallow bugs, and small beetles or spider beetles, distinguished by microscopic hair lengths and host associations.
Life Cycle
Incomplete metamorphosis consisting of an egg stage, five nymphal instars requiring a blood meal to molt, and an adult stage. Lifespan ranges from several weeks to over a year depending on conditions.
Ecological Importance
Serves as an obligatory human parasite within urban and domestic ecosystems.
Conservation Status
Not evaluated by the IUCN; highly abundant and thriving globally in human habitats.
Interesting Facts
Bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal under cool conditions and can detect exhaled carbon dioxide to locate hosts.
Photography Tips
Use macro lenses with bright, diffused lighting and a high-contrast background to clearly capture the dorsal surface and body segments.
Identified: 2026-08-07T22:55:42.420898