Bed Bug Family Classification
WouterBedbugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Adults are reddish-brown in colour with a flattened oval body. They have a retroverted labium and semicircular to triangular scutellum and four segments on the antennae. They are not social insects and do not build nests.
In the temperate regions of the world, Cimex lectularius is common. In tropical areas, it is known as Cimex hemipterus. They are sometimes found in urban areas and can bite humans. While not often found in humans, these bugs are able to transmit the parasite T. cruzi to humans.
Bed bugs are members of the Cimicidae family. They live in warm, moist environments and feed exclusively on human blood. Currently, there are 91 species of bedbugs, including two species of great importance to humans. Two species, Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus, are ectoparasites that live in homes and other habitats. They also carry viruses and protozoa.
While the Cimicidae are widely distributed in the United States, they are also common in Asia. The two most common species in China are C. lectularius and C. dissimilis. The Cimicid family includes several species that are closely associated with bats and birds in central Europe.
