Bloodsucking Conenoses

Triatoma

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
Family: Reduviidae
Subfamily: Triatominae
Genus: Triatoma

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Triatoma: //ˌtraɪəˈtoʊmə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Triatoma gerstaeckeri by Juan Cruzado Cortés. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Blood-sucking Cone-nose - Triatoma lecticularia?, McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Cedar Creek, Texas by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Triatoma protracta 89171778 by Andrew Meeds. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Triatoma sanguisuga P1200788a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Triatoma sanguisuga P1290887a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Triatoma sanguisuga P1290888a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Triatoma is a genus of blood-sucking insects known for their role in transmitting Chagas disease. They inhabit various environments, primarily in the Americas, and can trigger allergic reactions in humans.

Physical Characteristics

11‒33 mm in body length; blood-sucking insects with elongated bodies, prominent mouthparts, and long legs.

Identification Tips

Key to species is available for identifying various species, particularly in the southern US.

Habitat

Primarily found in rodent nests, bird nests, logs, and man-made structures like barns, coops, and houses; Neotropical species may also inhabit caves.

Distribution

Found from the southern US (transcontinental) to Argentina; notable species include T. sanguisuga and T. lecticularia in the East, and T. rubrofasciata as an isolated introduction in Florida.

Diet

Mainly feeds on tetrapod blood, predominantly from mammals, including wood rats, armadillos, opossums, raccoons, and in some cases, pets and humans.

Life Cycle

Nymphs go through eight instars, taking 2‒3 years to complete their lifecycle; females lay whitish oval eggs after feeding.

Reproduction

Females scatter many whitish oval eggs after a meal; the specific reproductive behaviors are not detailed in the provided data.

Ecosystem Role

Plays a role in the ecosystem as a blood-feeder, potentially affecting host populations and being part of the food web.

Economic Impact

Can indirectly lead to economic burdens related to the transmission of diseases such as Chagas disease, impacting public health systems.

Health Concerns

Bites can cause severe allergic reactions and may transmit Chagas disease through defecation at the bite site; this transmission is more common in species not found in North America.

Misconceptions

Misunderstood solely as pests; many species are significant disease vectors, especially in relation to Chagas disease.