Mexican bed bug

Mexican bed bugKissing bugTriatoma sanguisuga

Taxonomic ClassificationKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ArthropodaClass: InsectaOrder: HemipteraFamily: ReduviidaeSubfamily: TriatominaeGenus: TriatomaSpecies: T. sanguisugaTriatoma sanguisugaTriatoma sanguisuga, also known as theEastern Bloodsucking Conenoseor theMexican Bed Bug,is aninsectof theTriatominae subfamily, known askissing bugs. Like other species in this subfamily,T. sanguisugais known to bite and feed off of humans at the mouth during sleep. This bite is painful and can cause adverse effects such as swelling, feelings of faintness,nausea, andvomiting.Geographic Range and HabitatTriatoma sanguisugais found in the southeastern United States and throughout Latin America. This range includes both the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. It occupies North America in a range stretching from Pennsylvania to Florida and as far west as Arizona.Triatoma sanguisugais found in terrestrial and wooded environments where small mammals live.Wood ratsare the most common host for these blood sucking insects, and the rat nests provide a convenient home for the insects. Large flat rocks, detritus, and wood piles provide structural support for the rat nests and safety for the insects because they can feed, digest, and lay their eggs within.

Development and Reproduction Females and males are polygynandrous; each sex finds multiple mates during their lifespan. Shorter in comparison to related insects, the mating time ofT. sanguisugalasts only 10 minutes. After male fertilization, females migrate to a new territory to found a new community

CharacteristicsOrange-red to yellowish horizontal markingsMouthparts relatively hairlessPronotum black with orange-red to yellowish side and top marginsTip of scutellum long, narrowDistinctive orange-red to yellowish markings on wings

Kissing bug and Chagas Disease Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi. Infection is most commonly acquired through contact with the feces of an infected triatomine bug (or "kissing bug"), a blood-sucking insect that feeds on humans and animals.

Symptoms Chagas disease presents itself in 2 phases. The initial, acute phase lasts for about 2 months after infection. During the acute phase, a high number of parasites circulate in the blood. In most cases, symptoms are absent or mild, but can includeFeverHeadacheEnlarged lymph glandsMuscle painDifficulty in breathingSwelling and abdominal or chest painSymptomsDuring the chronic phase, the parasites are hidden mainly in the heart and digestive muscle. Up to 30% of patients suffer from Cardiac disorders Digestive (typically enlargement of the esophagus or colon) Neurological or mixed alterationsIn later years the infection can lead to sudden death or heart failure caused by progressive destruction of the heart muscle.TreatmentTo kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole and also nifurtimox.