FAQ | Kissing Bugs And Chagas Disease In The U.S. | Texas A&M

Adult kissing bugs are about 1/2 to 1 inch long from the end of their 'nose' to the end of their body. Most kinds of kissing bugs have a band around the edge of the body that is striped with orange or red markings. One kind of kissing bug (Triatoma protracta) found in the southwestern United States may or may not have a single, light-brown band around the outer edge of the body.

(Photo: Rachel Curtis-Robles)

The legs of kissing bugs are all thin and long, and there are no thicker areas on the legs like some other bugs have. Kissing bugs have straight mouthparts that are usually tucked under their body.

There are 11 different kinds of kissing bugs in United States. The most common kinds in the south-central United States are Triatoma sanguisuga and Triatoma gerstaeckeri, which are each about 1 inch long. Triatoma sanguisuga is also called the 'eastern cone-nose bug', and it has dark red stripes. Triatoma gerstaeckeri is common in Texas, and it has yellow-orange stripes.

(Photo: Gabriel L. Hamer)

Kissing bugs are members of the insect family called Reduviidae. This means they are related to other kinds of reduviids. Some reduviids are called 'assassin bugs' because they eat other insects. Kissing bugs are different than assassin bugs. Some reduviids suck the juice out of plants. Many reduviids have strong, thick mouthparts that they use to bite the insects they are eating or to poke through the strong wall of a plant stem. Because other reduviids have strong mouthparts, they can cause a very painful bite on people and animals. Kissing bugs do not have thick mouthparts, and kissing bug bites do not usually hurt the person while they are feeding. Only kissing bugs are known to pass the Chagas parasite. Check out the 'non-kissing bug' section to see examples of other reduviids.

Kissing bugs hatch from small, light-colored, oval-shaped eggs. Kissing bugs go through five juvenile (nymph) stages before they become adults. Nymphs do not 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. They feed many times over their lives. When kissing bugs feed, they can take several minutes to take a full meal. But kissing bugs do NOT attach like ticks.

(Photo: Rachel Curtis-Robles)