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F@stSheet Ent-1018

Conenose Bug IN THIS F@STSHEET IDENTIFICATION BIOLOGY IMPORTANCE CONTROL FOR MORE INFORMATION

        Conenose, or kissing bugs (Triatoma sp.), are blood-feeding insects that are an occasional problem in Texas homes. Although conenose bugs bite humans and regularly transmit disease in parts of Latin America, for most U.S. victims the worst consequence is redness and itching at the site of the bite.

IDENTIFICATION
        Conenose bugs are recognized by their elongated or "cone-shaped" head, prominent antennae, pear-shaped body, and spindly, stick-like legs. The body is black or dark brown, 1 to 3 cm (1 to 1 ½ inches) in length, with 12 orange spots ringing the outer edge of the abdomen. Long, beak-like mouthparts arise from the front of the head and are held under and against the center of the body when not in use.

BIOLOGY
        Conenose bugs feed exclusively on the blood of vertebrate animals. Although generally rare, they are most common around animal nests or pet resting areas, emerging at night to search for blood meal. Their bites are gentle and painless, and usually occur while the victim is asleep. They are generally unable to bite through clothing. On humans, blood meals are sometimes taken from the tender areas of the face (hence the name "kissing bug"). Other sites of attack (in order of decreasing frequency) include the hands, arms, feet, head and trunk. Victims are frequently unaware of the bites until the following morning when unexplained reddened areas may be present on the skin of the arm or face.

IMPORTANCE
        Conenose bugs can be carriers of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, that causes Chagas' disease--a serious disease of humans that occurs most commonly from Mexico to South America. Several human cases of Chagas' disease have been recorded in Texas since the first indigneous case was recorded in 1955. Cases among dogs are more common, especially in southern regions of Texas. Transmission of the disease to people in Texas, however, is rare.
        Natural reservoirs of the Trypanosoma parasite are maintained in nature among small vertebrate animals, notably armadillo, opossums, rodents, bats, cats and dogs. Conenose bugs commonly feed on several different hosts during their development. Nymphs feed on an infected host and become infected themselves. The parasite can then be transmitted during subsequent blood meals to an uninfested host. While feeding, the insect may defecate on the skin of its victim. When a victim touches the feces, parasites may be transferred to the site of the bite, to the eye or to the mucous membranes around the mouth or nose. Transfer of the parasite may be hastened by scratching the bite. Chagas' disease is difficult to diagnose, but is sometimes indicated in the initial stage by a swelling on one side of the face, known as the sign of Romaña.

CONTROL
        Conenose bugs are nocturnal and may be attracted to nighttime lights.  In this way, solitary individuals may enter a home.  A single conenose bug in the home is not necessarily cause for alarm.  However the presence of nymphs (unwinged bugs) or numerous adult conenose bugs in your home suggested that a breeding population may be established nearby. Under these circumstances control may be justified.
        Conenose bug infestations are more common in poorly constructed homes. Good sanitation and tight building construction tends to limit conenose bug infestations.  Destroy trash piles, bird and animal nests and burrows.  Control and exclude rodents and birds from the house.  Seal exterior cracks and openings into buildings and keep chimney flues closed tightly.  Inspect and seal any openings from crawl spaces into the house subflooring.  Check pets for signs of feeding and examine pet houses.
        Insecticides can effectively control conenose bugs.  Treat room corners and edges, window and door frames, pet houses, and other suspected entry points with a pesticide labeled for these sites.  Few household insecticides are labeled specifically for use against conenose bug; however products intended for indoor use against cockroaches or other indoor pests can be used.  Look for products containing permethrin, bifenthrin, esfenvalerate or cyfluthrin. 
        Consider using a licensed pest control professional for conenose bug control.  Besides their experience in treating insect problems, professionals are better suited to assist you with control of possible rodent or pest bird problems.  A professional can also point out ways to pest proof your home.   The most effective professional products for conenose bug control include wettable powder or microencapsulated formulations of pyrethroid insecticides such as cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, or cyfluthrin.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
        For more information about insect transmitted diseases in Texas, contact the Texas Department of Health at (512)458-7111 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/

The following references provide more information about Chagas' disease and its insect vectors:

• Ebling, Walter. 1975. Urban Entomology. University of California, Davis.
• Goddard, Jerome. 1993. Physician's Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
• Lent, H. and P. Wygodzinsky. 1979. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 163 (Art.3), 123.

Author:
Michael Merchant, Ph.D., Urban Entomologist, Texas Agricultural Extension Service

Publication information:
This publication is part of the House & Landscape Pest Series produced by the Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475. The most recent update can be found at: http://citybugs.tamu.edu/FastSheets/Ent-1018.html . Series Editor: M. Merchant. For more information about arthropods, check out the Texas A&M Entomology Website at http://insects.tamu.edu/
Last revision: 9/6/01