Bat Bug

Bat Bug

Family Cimicidae

• Subfamily Afrociminae
  • Genus Afrocimex
    • Afrocimex constrictus
• Subfamily Cimicinae'
  • 'Genus Cimex
    • Cimex adjunctus
    • Cimex antennatus
    • Cimex brevis
    • Cimex columbarius
    • Cimex incrassatus
    • Cimex latipennis
    • Cimex hemipterus (C. rotundatus)
    • Cimex pilosellus
    • Cimex pipistrella
  • Genus Propicimex
• Subfamily Cacodminae
  • Genus Aphrania
  • Genus Cacodomus
  • Genus Crassicimex
  • Genus Leptocimex
    • Leptocimex boueti
  • Genus Loxaspis
  • Genus Stricticimex

Subfamily Latrocimicinae

• Genus Latrocimex

Subfamily Primicimicinae

• Genus Bucimex
• Genus Primicimex
  • Primicimex cavernis

Family Polyctenidae

Bat bugs are blood-sucking insect parasites that feed primarily on the blood of bats. The name has been applied to members of the family Cimicidae (e.g. Cimex lectularius, Afrocimex constrictus) and also to members of the family Polyctenidae. Bat bugs are closely related to bed bugs and so similar appearance that they are often mistaken for bed bugs. Microscopic examination is needed to distinguish them. Bat bugs will also bite humans if given the opportunity.