Cimicidae

species of insect

parasitic insects

The Cimicidae are a family of small parasitic bugs that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They are called cimicids or, loosely, bed bugs, though the latter term properly refers to the most well-known member of the family, Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug, and its tropical relation Cimex hemipterus. The family contains over 100 species. Cimicids appeared in the fossil record in the Cretaceous period. When bats evolved in the Eocene, Cimicids switched hosts and now feed mainly on bats or birds. Members of the group have colonised humans on three occasions.

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

species of insect

thumb | 220x124px | right | Oeciacus hirundinis Oeciacus is a genus of bed bugs in the family Cimicidae. There are at least three described species in Oeciacus.

Hesperocimex is a genus of bed bugs in the family Cimicidae. There are at least two described species in Hesperocimex.

species of insect