Cimex hemipterus, known as the tropical bed bug, is a species of bed bugs within the family Cimicidae that primarily resides in tropical climates. However, it has been reported that this species can live in more temperate climates along with the closely related bed bug species C. lectularius.
[1] C. hemipterus is a hematophagous, obligate parasite of humans. This means that it requires blood.
Bed bugs are categorized into several insect species. That is the common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical bed bugs (Cimex Hemipterus). Tropical bed bugs are found in subtropical and tropical areas, just as their name suggests.
Common bed bugs are responsible for most infestations in the state of Florida, but if tropical bed bugs happen to infest a Florida home, there is a good chance that the specimens would be misidentified as common bed bugs. Tropical bed bugs are blood-feeding insects closely related to the common bed bug. They thrive in warm, humid climates and are increasingly found in subtropical and tropical regions of North America, particularly Florida and along the Gulf Coast.
Causal Agents The two species of bed bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cimicidae) usually implicated in human infestations are Cimex lectularius and C. hemipterus. Although rare, humans may become incidental hosts of Cimex species of bats and birds.
Life Cycle Adults and all nymphal stages of Cimex spp. need to take blood meals from warm-blooded hosts, which are typically humans for C. lectularius and.
Although the two species look alike, tropical bedbugs have more hair on their legs, which allows them to climb out of many of the smooth. Bed Bugs (Photo credit to Pestworld.org) There are two species of bed bugs that are closely associated with and feed on humans, namely Cimex lectularius (common bed bug) and Cimex hemipterus (tropical bed bug). A tropical bed bug infestation would look just like a common bed bug infestation.
You would see live bugs potentially, depending on the level of infestation, and these live bugs would look just like a common bed bug to the untrained eye/without a microscope. Learn essential facts about Tropical bed bugs, their behaviors, habitats, and traits that can affect your living spaces. Get informed now.
Tropical Bed Bugs are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, spreading via human travel (luggage, used furniture). Their habitat is any place where humans rest: bedrooms, hotels, hospitals, and public transport.