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[Cimex hemipterus] [Cimex lectularius]

The two most common species of bed bugs implicated in human infestations are Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus; the former of which is cosmopolitan, and the latter being found mostly in the tropics and sub-tropics.  Adults are on average 5 mm long, oval-shaped and dorso-ventrally flattened.  Like other members of the order, Hemiptera, they possess piercing-sucking mouthparts.  Adults are brachypterous; the hindwings are nearly absent and the forewings are reduced to small, leathery pads.  Nymphs look like smaller, paler versions of the adults.  While Cimex spp. have been found to be naturally-infected with several blood-borne pathogens, they are not effective vectors of disease.  The primary medical importance is inflammation associated with their bites.

A	B

A: Two adults and one nymph (arrow) of C. lectularius, collected in a hotel in urban Georgia.
B: Close-up of one of the adults in Figure A.

C	D

C: Higher magnification of the specimen in Figure B.  Note the reduced forewings (arrow).
D: Ventral view of the specimen in Figure B.

E	F

E: Higher magnification of the specimen in Figure D, showing a close-up of the typical hemipteran piercing-sucking mouthparts (arrow).
F: Nymph of C. lectularius.  The blue marks represent 1 mm.