kissing bug
Nocturnal biting beetle
A kissing bug is a blood-sucking insect that tends to bite humans near the mouth or eyes while they sleep.
These nocturnal insects, found mainly in the Americas, can transmit Chagas disease through their feces.
The name comes from their habit of biting around the lips: She woke with welts from a kissing bug.
Parasitic protozoan causing Chagas
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
- megacolonPathological intestinal dilation
- vector-borneSpread by organism intermediaries
- endemicNative to one area
antiparasitic · infection · chronic · acute · arrhythmia · transmission · pathogen · congenital
Extracting blood for nourishment
- bitePierce with teeth
- hostOne receiving guests
- vectorQuantity with direction
- nocturnalActive during darkness
painless · anticoagulant · feeding · feces · defecation · wound · skin · swelling
Active during darkness
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- heat-seekingAttracted to warmth sources
- hidingStaying out of sight
crepuscular · nighttime · covert · elusive · silent · inconspicuous
Narrow opening in surface
- thatchDried plant roof covering
- adobeSun-dried clay bricks
- mud wallsBarriers of dried earth
- woodpileStored cut logs
nest · burrow · bedding · rural · Latin America · Central America · South America · Texas
Elongated animal head appendage
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
entomology · six-legged · chitin · thorax · abdomen · nymph · molting
Trypanosoma cruzi
Parasitic protozoan causing Chagas
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
- megacolonPathological intestinal dilation
- vector-borneSpread by organism intermediaries
endemic · antiparasitic · infection · chronic · acute · arrhythmia · transmission · pathogen · congenital · immunocompromised
bloodsucking
Extracting blood for nourishment
nocturnal · painless · anticoagulant · feeding · feces · defecation · wound · skin · swelling · allergic reaction
nocturnal
Active during darkness
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- heat-seekingAttracted to warmth sources
hiding · crepuscular · nighttime · covert · elusive · silent · inconspicuous
crevice
Narrow opening in surface
woodpile · nest · burrow · bedding · rural · Latin America · Central America · South America · Texas · Arizona
proboscis
Elongated animal head appendage
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
invertebrate · entomology · six-legged · chitin · thorax · abdomen · nymph · molting