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Cimex

Cimex

Cimex

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Arthropoda
  • Class Insecta
  • Order Hemiptera
  • Family Cimicidae

Final host

  • Mammals and birds

    Morphology

  • Adults: wingless insects with an oval flattened body (≈ 5-7 mm long), red-brown in colour
  • The antennae are long and four-segmented
  • The compound eyes are placed laterally at the sides of the head
  • The labium is three-segmented and reflected backwards under the head
  • Nymphs are smaller than adults and lack mature genitalia

    Cycle

  • Hemimetabolous with five juvenile (nymphal) stages
  • They take refuge into cracks and crevices between bood meals

    Location

  • Skin surface (only contact to feed themselves)

    Feeding

  • Haematophagous (all stages)

    Diagnostic

  • Adults and nymphs

    Transmission

  • Adults and nymphs