What is a water bedbug called? - briefly
The insect commonly called a water bedbug is the water boatman, a member of the Corixidae family.
What is a water bedbug called? - in detail
The insect that appears in a water‑filled mattress is not a separate species; it is the same organism known as the common bed bug, scientifically designated Cimex lectularius.
- Taxonomy: Family Cimicidae, genus Cimex, species lectularius.
- Morphology: Flattened, reddish‑brown body, 4–5 mm long, wingless, with elongated mouthparts for hematophagy.
- Life cycle: Egg → five nymphal instars → adult; each stage requires a blood meal to progress.
- Habitat preference: Dark, sheltered crevices near sleeping surfaces. The presence of a water‑filled core does not alter the microenvironment sufficiently to create a distinct ecological niche, so the bugs retain their usual name.
Infestations in waterbeds occur because the surrounding fabric and frame provide the same hiding spots as conventional mattresses. Control measures—heat treatment, insecticides, or professional extermination—target Cimex lectularius regardless of the bed type.
In summary, the creature found in a water‑based sleeping system is identified as the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius), not a unique “water bedbug” species.