Cimex

This article is about the genus of insects. For the Cuban conglomerate, see CIMEX.

Cimex
Cimex lectularius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Cimicidae
Genus: Cimex
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

Cimex is a genus of insects in the family Cimicidae.[1] Cimex species are ectoparasites that typically feed on the blood of birds and mammals. Two species, Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus, are known as bed bugs and frequently feed on humans, although other species may parasitize humans opportunistically.[2] Species that primarily parasitize bats are known as bat bugs.

The insects are 3 to 9 millimetres (0.12 to 0.35 in) long and have flattened reddish-brown bodies with small nonfunctional wings.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference bugref was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference JAMA2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).