Seven species live in Arizona, with three – Triatoma rubida, Triatoma protracta, and Triatoma recurva – being most common in Tucson and Phoenix. The common name “kissing bug” comes from its tendency to bite people’s faces, leaving swollen areas.
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Is Chagas disease in Arizona?
Chagas has been found locally in Arizona, but it is very rare. There is some evidence of spread between insects and animals in parts of the southern U.S. Chagas is spread primarily through kissing bug bites. Chagas is spread to people when the infected kissing bug poops while biting.
What states do kissing bugs live in?
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.
Where are kissing bugs found?
Kissing bugs are found in warm southern states of the U.S. and in Mexico, Central America, and South America. 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.
What time of year are kissing bugs active?
Image credit: Glenn Seplak, 2007. Kissing bugs, or triatomines, feed off of the blood of humans and other animals. Kissing bugs are nocturnal, meaning that they hide during the day and are most active at night.
Do assassin bugs live in Arizona?
A new species of “assassin bug” — a type of gutsy predatory insect that neutralizes prey using its thorny front legs and sharp, needlelike mouth — has been discovered deep in a limestone cave in Arizona.”They live in labyrinthine parts of the cave,” Pape said.
How do you know if a kissing bug bite you?
Bite Marks
Kissing bugs are so named because they like to bite around the mouth or eyes. You’ll often see 2-15 bite marks in one area and maybe redness and swelling. It might be hard to tell them apart from other bug bites, minor skin irritations, or infections.
Are stink bugs and kissing bugs the same?
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.
Do all kissing bugs carry Chagas disease?
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.
Do stink bugs carry disease?
They do not bite people or pets and they are not known to transmit disease or cause physical harm. However, some people may be sensitive to allergens given off by the stink bugs.
What happens if you squish a kissing bug?
It’s best to NOT squish a bug, but sometimes it happens! After the bug is squished, do not touch the bug with your bare hands. The T. cruzi parasite may be in the feces of kissing bugs, and their bodies may have the parasite on them.
Where do kissing bugs lay their eggs?
Bugs can hide in cracks and crevices in the mattress, bed frame, and box spring. They can spread into cracks and crevices in the room and lay their eggs.
How does the kissing bug locate its human prey?
Triatomines follow the movement of air currents impregnated with host odors to locate the host. Feeding by bugs in human domiciles usually takes place at night, with bugs hiding during the day in cracks and crevices away from the feeding areas.
Can the kissing bug fly?
Kissing bugs can fly, but they can also crawl and get inside that way.
What kills kissing bugs?
While there aren’t any pesticides specifically made to kill kissing bugs, insecticides composed of pyrethroid can work.
Are there no see ums in Arizona?
These bites may be from small biting midges, often called “no-see-ums”. They are also known as punkies or sand flies. No-see-ums in Arizona mostly belong to the genus Culicoides, in the family Ceratopogonidae.Appearance: The adults are small, dark flies, ⅛th to ¼ th inch in length, barely visible to the naked eye.
How big is a kissing bug?
Adult kissing bugs are about 1/2 to 1 inch long. Kissing bugs hatch from small eggs and go through five juvenile (nymphal) stages before they become adults. Some kinds of kissing bugs can live up to two years. Size comparison of a kissing bug with a U.S. penny.
Are there blister beetles in Arizona?
Blister beetles live throughout the state and often appear in northern Arizona this time of year. These beetles contain a defensive chemical called cantharidin that can be harmful to humans and livestock.
Do kissing bugs have wings?
Only adult kissing bugs have wings and can fly. All kissing bugs feed on blood throughout their life. Kissing bugs can feed on people, dogs, and wild animals.
What disease do kissing bugs carry?
People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Do stink bugs bite your lips?
Stink bugs do not bite. They do not have fangs or a stinger but instead have a sucking mouth part.
