Conenose bugs (Triatoma species) are insects that feed on the blood of various wild animals, particularly rodents. Mammals are their most common hosts but they will occasionally feed on birds and reptiles. Other names for these insects are “kissing bugs” or “bloodsucking conenose bugs”.

What does an assassin bug do to you?

Assassin bugs like hanging out near their prey— mammals (including humans) with vertebrae—from which they can suck blood. Word on the street is that they like to bite repeatedly near your eyes and mouth (hence the kissing bug moniker), which will cause bite marks, redness and swelling to appear.

Are Conenose bug poisonous?

In California these bugs are most prevalent in the foothill areas surrounding the Central Valley and in the foothills and desert areas of Southern California. ... Worse, in sensitive individuals bites from conenose bugs can produce allergic reactions that are potentially dangerous and life-threatening.

Can a kissing bug kill a human?

Triatomine bugs, commonly known as kissing bugs, are vectors for a dangerous parasite that can cause a debilitating illness in humans called Chagas disease. If left untreated, theinfectious disease can become lifelong and painful, and in some cases lead to death.

Can assassin bugs hurt you?

Beneficial as they may for protecting your garden plants, these critters may attack and bite humans and animals, even if unprovoked, piercing the skin with that sharp beak. Though painful and likely to cause swelling at the site, for the most part an assassin bug bite rarely requires medical attention.

Chagas Disease, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

24 related questions found

Can assassin bugs fly?

Assassin bugs are able to fly but they are poor fliers in general with some notable exceptions. Although most assassin bugs are slow-moving and nonaggressive, they will use their rostrum in self-defense if handled carelessly.

Do assassin bugs stink?

Commonly confused with stink bugs, they also emit foul odor when frightened. Adults are more than ½ in. long. They are brown or gray and shield-shaped, a bit more elongated than stink bugs.

Should I kill a kissing bug?

You may experience the same reaction you would from any other insect bite: itchiness, redness, and slight inflammation. Secondly, do not squish it. Instead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you capture the suspect bug in a jar or other container.

How do you know if you have been bitten by a kissing bug?

Kissing bugs can cause patches of bites, often around the mouth. The bites are usually painless, but they may swell and look like hives. Itching from the bites may last a week.

What bug looks like a kissing bug?

Conenose bugs (Triatoma species) are insects that feed on the blood of various wild animals, particularly rodents. Mammals are their most common hosts but they will occasionally feed on birds and reptiles. Other names for these insects are “kissing bugs” or “bloodsucking conenose bugs”.

Do all kissing bugs carry Chagas?

Kissing bugs can carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease. It's important to know that not all kissing bugs are infected with the parasite, and the likelihood of contracting Chagas disease is low.

Are stink bugs related to kissing bugs?

Kissing bugs look similar to stink bugs, but stink bugs are typically smaller and lack the red, orange, or yellow stripes of color that you can see on kissing bugs.

Where do kissing bugs hide in a home?

Kissing bugs can hide in cracks and holes in beds, floors, walls, and furniture. They are most likely to be found: Near places where a pet, such as a dog or cat, spends time. In areas where mice or other rodents live.

How painful is an assassin bug bite?

Assassin bug bites can be quite painful immediately with some pain and swelling persisting for a day or two. ... As with any insect sting or bite, the victim should seek medical attention immediately if there is any sign of anaphylactic reaction, such as generalized swelling, itching, hives or difficulty breathing."

Do assassin bugs live in groups?

Behavior of the Assassin Bug

Social behavior depends heavily on the species, some are solitary, some live in groups, and some congregate in hiding places. The same goes for reproduction, some species reproduce singly, while other congregate in large groups.

What do assassin bug eat?

Most assassin bugs feed on insects including caterpillars, larvae of leaf beetles and sawflies, and adults and nymphs of other true bugs.

Do bed bugs carry disease?

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

What states have kissing bugs?

Most of the world's kissing bugs are in Central and South America and Mexico. They've also been found in the United States in the lower 28 states, with higher concentrations in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Kissing bugs have been spotted a far north as Delaware, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

What should I do if I get bit by an assassin bug?

Persons who are bitten should wash and apply antiseptic to the site of the bite. Oral analgesics, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may be useful to reduce the pain. Treatment by a physician is not usually needed, though Caladryl® or topical corticosteroids may help reduce swelling or itching at the site of the bite.

How long can you live with Chagas?

If untreated, infection is lifelong. Acute Chagas disease occurs immediately after infection, and can last up to a few weeks or months. During the acute phase, parasites may be found in the circulating blood. This phase of infection is usually mild or asymptomatic.

What percentage of kissing bugs carry Chagas?

Our laboratory at Texas A&M University has found that about 50% of kissing bugs are infected with the Chagas parasite. The number of infected kissing bugs varies from location to location. Our research has found different kinds to be infected between 10-70%. What should I do if I found a kissing bug?

What will kill love bugs?

Mix warm water with a citrus-scented detergent, like an orange or lemon dish soap. Add a splash of mouthwash to the mixture, and then shake it well. Put in spray bottle, and start spraying your plants and the walls of your house with it. Bugs will leave these areas alone.

What is the difference between an assassin bug and a kissing bug?

The kissing bug belongs to the Reduviidae family of insects. This family is also referred to as assassin bugs. But this family of bugs doesn't get the name “assassin” because it transmits Chagas disease (also known as kissing bug disease). ... It can carry a parasite that causes kissing bug disease in its fecal matter.

Do assassin bugs eat spiders?

Tough Prey

Even so, giraffe assassin bugs (Stenolemus giraffa)—named for their long “necks” that make up one-third to one-half their body length—manage to dine on spiders.

Do assassin bugs overwinter?

The assassin bug adults overwinter in leaves, bark and debris. Assassin bugs are found in weedy or bushy cover during the warm summer months. They may be in wildflowers, especially goldenrod, towards fall. They are also common in woodland areas, hedges and along roads, fences and trails.