AKA: Conenose Bugs, Assassin Bug, Walapai Tiger.
Kissing Bug, common name for any of several large species of
true bugs that suck the blood of mammals, so called because
their favorite site of attack is on the face about the lips. These
bugs belong to an insect group found almost exclusively in the
Americas. The so-called big bed bug, or conenose, of the
southwestern United States, is a black insect, margined on the
sides of the abdomen with red. This species (about 25 mm/1 in
long) commonly bites humans, but also lives outdoors, feeding on
the blood of rodents. The South American barbeiro, or conenose,
is the principal vector of the parasite that causes Chagas'
disease, which is a form of trypanosomiasis.
Scientific classification:
Kissing bugs belong to the family
Reduviidae, of the
order Hemiptera. The big bed bug, or
conenose, is classified
as Triatoma sanguisuga. The South
American barbeiro
is classified as Triatoma megistus.
Control Measures:
All potential breeding
areas such as rodent and bird nests and trash piles in or near houses should
be eliminated. Since these bugs fly at night and are attracted to light,
adequate screening must be used around windows and doors. Use non-attractive
insect yellow lights, if possible. Be sure to caulk and seal any openings
into the house. Should a bug alight on one's face or hand, it should be
brushed off gently since it is likely to bite if pinched or crushed. Usually
only a few individual bugs are found in the home at one time except for
the bloodsucking conenose, which may be in groups of 10 to 15 at a time
or scattered singly. Do not handle bugs. Use a broom and dustpan or vacuum
cleaner to collect and discard individuals.
Reference:
"Kissing
Bug," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com
© 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Ohio
State University.
Links: Click
here to recommend a link:
SDNHM: Kissing Bug
Conenose Bugs
Assassin Bugs, HYG-2082-98
Digital Desert Library, What Lives in a Desert
