Conenose Kissing Bugs
Order:
Heteroptera
Family: Reduviidae
Species: Triatoma sp.
The common name of the conenose kissing bugs is derived from the “cone-shaped” appearance of their heads, and from the fact that they often feed on the human face. They feed on the blood of vertebrates, and transmit several diseases, including Chagas’ disease, also called American sleeping sickness. Although various conenose bug species are found throughout the United States, only three cases of Chagas’ disease are known to have occurred in this country. However, the disease is of major importance in Latin and South America.
Biology and Habits
These are oval-shaped, true bugs about ˝” to 1” long (14-24 mm). The head is pointed into a cone and the proboscis (elongated mouthparts) is three-segmented. Antennae have four segments, and are inserted half way between the eyes and front of the heads. Viewing the abdomen from above, it appears somewhat concave, with is lateral margins extending beyond the edge of the wings. The color ranges from light brown to black.
The two most widely distributed species are Triatoma sanguisuga which is dark brown to black with red markings, and Triatoma protracta which is dark brown to black with tan markings. T. sanguisuga ranges from Maryland to Florida and west to Kansas and Arizona, whereas T. protracta has a predominately western distribution, in Utah and Colorado, south to Texas, and west to California. These insects undergo simple metamorphosis.
Eggs are laid in the summer and hatch in 3 to 5 weeks. There are five nymph instars, each requiring a blood meal to molt. Life cycle, egg to egg, is typically one year, but may be extended due to availability of hosts and environmental conditions.
These
bugs are nocturnal blood feeders, generally inflicting a painless bite
on their unsuspecting host. They
fly and are occasionally attracted to lights.
Conenose bugs spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices, often
near areas inhabited by domestic animals or wildlife, particularly raccoons,
opossums, and wood rats. During
the day they are usually found associated with animal nests, under bark,
in cabins, and in poor quality structures.
Occasionally, they may be found in homes, in wall and floor cracks,
under furniture, in crawl spaces and particularly in areas associated
with pets. Around homes,
they may be found in garages, outbuildings, dog houses, and other structures
housing domestic animals.
Control
A thorough inspection of the premises often reveals how these bugs gain access to the structure and the location of their resting sites. The pest management plan should begin with pest proofing the structure to prevent entry of the bugs and nesting by alternative vertebrate hosts. Pay particular attention to areas that have been infested with other vertebrates, outbuildings, and areas that are lit at night.
All
wild animals and their nests within 100 feet (30m) of the infested structure
should be removed. Wood piles,
clutter and other debris in this area should also be removed or relocated
away from the structure. Lighting
should be changed so that the bugs are not attracted to entry points on
structures utilized by humans or structures housing domestic animals.
Pesticide applications should be made to resting sites, to areas
where vertebrate nests are found, and to those exterior perimeter areas
that can not be adequately sealed to prevent entry.
Pay particular attention to potential resting sites in outbuildings,
garages, and areas frequented be domestic animals. Indoor applications should be limited to cracks and crevices
in areas of known activity. Always
use a product registered for the site of application, and one that poses
minimal risk to non-target organisms.
(Courtesy of the National Pest Control Association.)