Cimex lectularius
bed bug

Cimex lectularius has been found on all continents except Antarctica. It is absent in large areas of east Asia due to the fatal effects of males of a different species, Cimex hemipterus, mating with C. lectularius.

Cimex lectularius is common in both tropical and temperate habitats. Temperature is important in their lives; hatching, nymphal development, and adult activity all occur between 13 and 15 degrees celsius.

A male can mate with one or more females more than once in a day. Males do not recognize females from a distance, and they may try to mate with other males, dead females and a piece of cork shaped like a bed bug. Males that have starved longer than two weeks do not mate, and females who have not fed recently are not ready for mating. Males puncture female's body wall and inject sperm into her abdomen. The egg is asymmetrical in shape and has pink eye spots. Most of the egg's surface is faintly reticulate, especially near the cap end.

Cimex lectularius concentrate in harborages in cracks or other protected places in houses or roosts of chickens or other birds when they are not feeding on their host. They cluster on surfaces that are dry and rough, such as wood and paper, rather than stone, plaster, metal or textiles. They avoid wet surfaces. Cimex lectularius appear to wander aimlessly and with long pauses when they move.

Cimex lectularius is primarily parasitic on man. They also live on bats, chickens, pigeons, other birds, and labratory animals. Originally, Cimex lectularius infested bats. When they are not feeding on their host they usually remain in their nests or in cracks in rooms or roosts. They usually react negatively to light, but they will feed in daylight when hungry.

Cimex lectularius have been suspected to transmit desease in humans and bats, but in most cases this has not been verified. Controlling bed bugs has been a challenge to people for centuries.

Bedbugs are not threatened, they persist in human and animal populations throughout the world.

The number of species subsumed under the name Cimex lectularius is uncertain. Characters that suggest that more than one may be present include the HW/3rd antennal ratio, bristle length, paramere ratio, and number of supernumerary X chromosomes. Cimex lectularius have been known to humans since the beginning of recorded history and have played a role in folklore, pharmacopoeia, and literature.