It’s not every day that you learn about something as scary as this turning up in your own backyard. Or, at least, the backyards of hundreds of thousands - if not millions - of Texans. Triatoma is a genus of bug collectively known as “assasin bugs” or "kissing bugs." They’ve been making the news quite a bit the past few summers because of one notable characteristic: they’re the leading cause of infection in humans and pets for Chagas Disease. This parasite-caused illness causes a whole host of horrible symptoms and, if untreated, can lead to death.

Texas A&M University researchers have established a research lab to track and study the spread of these bugs to try and contain any potential spread of Chagas. So far, the bugs don’t seem to be spreading. In fact, the recent spate of Chagas cases in Texas appears to be not due to any “foreign invasion” by the bugs, but an invasion of suburbia into the traditional territory of these blood-sucking insects.

TAMU researchers have since responded to hundreds of submissions by people up to several states away and have put up a helpful guide to non-assasin bugs that they frequently receive by photo or in the mail. These include leaf-footed, squash, and stink bugs, among others. All of these also belong to the “true bug” order and do bear some resemblance to assasin bugs, but with several easy-to-spot differences.

Why Such A Name?

The name of such a bug comes from the tendency that these insects have for biting around the lips in human beings. In case you are still unaware of the worst that an assassin bug could do, find time to read this!

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Look Out For The Bug

An assassin bug can be found across USA. Most parts of the country including New Mexico, California and even Arizona are home to the assassin bug. These places, however, were not the places where these bugs lived originally. The assassin bug was initially found only in the tropical areas down south.

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Spot The Bug

The kissing bug is mostly black or dark brown in color and might even have a few red dots on both sides of the back. The shape of the assassin bug mostly is flat and broad. They grow to be half an inch or one inch at the most.

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Here’s What The Bug Does?

It is important to note that an assassin bug does not simply bite and cause infection or marks; the bug is responsible for causing a bigger disorder called the Chagas disease. The disease is hazardous and scientifically known as American Trypanosomiasis. The bug is also harmful for dogs since the latter can be directly bitten.

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The Chagas Disease

The Chagas disease is not much spoken about and therefore, most of us are caught unawares about its symptoms or cure. Among the major signs that the disease is on setting, you can watch out for swollen eyelids and an anaphylactic shock. It can even lead to asphyxiation and eventual death.

You might simply feel that you have caught flu even if the assassin bug has bitten you. However, look out for the additional symptoms and visit your physician without delay.

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Where To Find The Assassin Bug?

The assassin bug is generally found in cracks of walls, under rocks, under a porch, in areas having forest cover or even in kennels.

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The Bug Makes Life Worse Indeed

An assassin bug actually sucks the blood of those it bites. They mate during summers or late season of the spring. Assassin bugs are usually said to be attracted to lights that are very bright. Therefore, people who have bright lights in their homes at night in the areas where these bugs are found, need to be careful. In fact, there is a huge probability that an assassin bug will find its way around your mattress and stay put during the day.

If you are pretty sure that you have been bitten by or have even spotted a kissing bug, there are a few simple steps before you overnight it to a research lab and run screaming to the hospital!

1. Avoid touching the insect with bare hands.
2. Trap the insect in a sealable plastic bag, film canister, or pill bottle.
3. Freeze the bug. This will kill it and also preserve it for study.
4. Disinfect any surface it has touched with bleach.
5. Take a good picture of the bug, and inspect it carefully to ensure it’s not something else.
6. Send the picture to TAMU with a message informing them of where/how you found it.

The reporting link is right here, but please follow the advice above before submitting. There is also a useful page full of other bugs that people frequently mistake for kissing bugs, so be sure to check it out as well!