Tropical Bed Bug vs Earwig Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Bed Bug | Earwig Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cimex hemipterus | Merope tuber |
| Order | Hemiptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Cimicidae | Meropeidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, Africa, South America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Tropical Bed Bug
A tropical relative of the common bed bug that also feeds on human blood. It is the dominant bed bug species in many parts of the tropics.
Did You Know?
It can hybridize with the common bed bug in laboratory settings, though hybrids are infertile.
Earwig Scorpionfly
An extremely rare and primitive scorpionfly with forcep-like cerci reminiscent of earwigs. It is nocturnal and found in leaf litter of old-growth eastern North American forests.
Did You Know?
Merope tuber is so rarely encountered that its biology and ecology remain largely mysterious despite being described over 150 years ago.