Three things hurt in a peasant’s house: “Mean wife, smoke and bed bug” (Peder Syv, approx. 1680)
Where in the system do bed bugs belong?
Bed bugs are insects and therefore belong to the largest class of living animals. Currently, about 1 million different species of insects have been described and it is expected that there are 10 million or more, still unknown. Among other things, the insects are characteristic of having an exoskeleton, as armor around the intestines. The body is divided into three sections: 1) the head with mouth parts, antennae and eyes 2) thorax with three pairs of legs and usually two pairs of wings 3) and an articulated abdomen.
The bed bugs are true bugs (Heteroptera) .The mouth parts of the bugs form an effective, sharp proboscis, which most use to suck sap. The vast majority of bugs have two pairs of wings, so also in this way the bed bugs stand out, being wingless bloodsuckers. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is, along with other bed bugs, considered as their own little family: Cimicidae.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)