Vector
Guides
Triatoma indictiva
kissing bug
Triatoma indictiva is a blood-sucking assassin bug in the subfamily Triatominae, commonly known as a "kissing bug." It is a documented vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. The species occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, particularly Arizona and Texas. Adults measure 20–30 mm in length and are characterized by a pear-shaped body, black coloration with red lateral markings, and a tapered proboscis. Like other triatomines, it is primarily associated with vertebrate hosts in natural and peridomestic habitats.
Triatoma neotomae
kissing bug, woodrat bug
Triatoma neotomae is a species of kissing bug (subfamily Triatominae) in the assassin bug family Reduviidae. It is the smallest Triatoma species in the United States, found in south Texas and associated with woodrat (Neotoma) nests. Like other triatomines, it is a blood-feeding insect and a potential vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
Triatoma protracta
western bloodsucking conenose
Triatoma protracta is a blood-feeding assassin bug in the subfamily Triatominae, commonly known as the western bloodsucking conenose. Native to western North America, it serves as a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causing Chagas disease, though its vector efficiency is considered secondary to some congeners due to its relatively long development time and defecation behavior. The species is primarily associated with woodrat (Neotoma) nests and occasionally invades human dwellings, where it may bite and cause allergic reactions. Laboratory studies indicate egg-to-adult development averages 6.7 months with 72.5% egg eclosion rates.
Triatoma recurva
kissing bug, blood-sucking conenose
Triatoma recurva is a kissing bug (Triatominae) native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is a blood-feeding assassin bug that serves as a vector for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. The species has been documented from its natural host, the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), and is found in domestic and peri-domestic environments. Laboratory studies indicate slower development and higher feeding requirements compared to related species, with egg-to-adult development exceeding 8.5 months.
Triatoma rubida
kissing bug, Arizona kissing bug
Triatoma rubida is a hematophagous assassin bug and important potential vector of Chagas disease in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Laboratory studies demonstrate it has the shortest egg-to-adult development time (~4 months) among comparable species, with high survival rates and rapid defecation behavior that enhances vector competence. In southern Arizona, the species is primarily associated with white-throated woodrat (Neotoma albigula) nests, with dispersal flights occurring from late May through mid-July when adults may be attracted to artificial lights and invade human dwellings. Females consistently defecate while feeding (93%), unlike males and immature stages, increasing transmission risk. The species shows 41.5-66% prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in some populations and has been documented feeding on humans.
Triatoma sanguisuga
Eastern Bloodsucking Conenose, Mexican Bed Bug, Kissing Bug
Triatoma sanguisuga is a blood-feeding assassin bug in the subfamily Triatominae, commonly known as the eastern bloodsucking conenose or kissing bug. It is the most widespread triatomine species in the United States and serves as a vector for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Unlike highly efficient South American vectors such as Triatoma infestans, T. sanguisuga typically defecates after feeding rather than during, reducing but not eliminating transmission risk to humans. The species has been implicated in documented autochthonous human Chagas disease cases in the United States.
Trichodectes canis
canine chewing louse, dog chewing louse
Trichodectes canis is a chewing louse (suborder Mallophaga) that parasitizes domestic dogs and wild canids worldwide. It is a permanent ectoparasite, completing its entire life cycle on the host. The species is a known intermediate host for the dog tapeworm Dipylidium caninum, which can be transmitted to canids (and rarely humans) through ingestion of infected lice. Infestations are generally uncommon in well-cared-for dogs in developed countries but can occur in neglected or immunocompromised animals. A 2023 study reported T. canis from domestic cats in Tehran, Iran, representing a new host record.
Uroleucon ambrosiae
Brown Ambrosia Aphid
Uroleucon ambrosiae is a medium-sized aphid in the family Aphididae, commonly known as the brown ambrosia aphid. Native to North America, it exhibits geographic variation in host specificity, with eastern populations highly specialized on giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) while southwestern populations feed more broadly on Asteraceae plants. In Brazil, it has emerged as a significant pest of hydroponically-grown lettuce, where it vectors lettuce mosaic virus and promotes sooty mold through honeydew excretion. The species reproduces parthenogenetically during spring and summer, forming all-female colonies. Its populations serve as important prey for diverse natural enemies including flower fly larvae, lady beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, making it a key component of biological control food webs in both natural and agricultural systems.
Uroleucon pseudambrosiae
Wild Lettuce Aphid
Uroleucon pseudambrosiae is a North American aphid species that feeds on wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) and related Asteraceae plants including dandelion (Taraxacum), pilewort (Erechtites hieracifolia), and Sonchus asper. It is known to serve as a vector for watermelon mosaic virus. The species exhibits parthenogenetic reproduction during spring and summer, forming all-female colonies.
Varroa destructor
Varroa mite
Varroa destructor is an external parasitic mite and the most damaging pest of managed honey bee colonies worldwide. The species originally parasitized the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) but host-shifted to the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), causing catastrophic colony losses. Adult female mites feed on the fat body tissue of adult bees and larvae, while reproducing exclusively within sealed brood cells. The mite vectors at least five debilitating bee viruses, including deformed wing virus, and colonies without management typically collapse within 2–3 years.
Xyleborinus attenuatus
Xyleborinus attenuatus is an invasive ambrosia beetle native to East Asia that has established throughout Europe and North America. As a member of the subfamily Scolytinae, it cultivates symbiotic ambrosia fungi within galleries excavated in wood, feeding on the fungal growth rather than the wood itself. In Central Europe, it completes one generation annually with flight activity occurring from mid-March to May and F1 adults emerging in August and September. It predominantly colonizes soft deciduous trees and has not been reported to cause significant economic damage, though it vectors multiple ambrosia fungi species.
Xyleborus affinis
sugarcane shot-hole borer
Xyleborus affinis is a highly widespread ambrosia beetle native to the American tropics, now found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It cultivates symbiotic fungi in galleries bored into decaying wood, feeding exclusively on these fungal gardens. The species exhibits facultative eusociality with delayed dispersal of adult offspring, who assist with nest maintenance and brood care. Females are the dispersing sex and are strongly attracted to ethanol and specific host plant volatiles. Despite frequent association with declining trees, it primarily colonizes wood already in early decay rather than causing primary mortality.
Xyleborus bispinatus
Xyleborus bispinatus is a tropical ambrosia beetle in the tribe Xyleborini. Native to the Americas, it has established populations in Florida and been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula. The beetle maintains nutritional mutualisms with ambrosia fungi and has demonstrated unusual flexibility in acquiring symbionts from invasive beetle species, including plant pathogens. It is a potential vector for laurel wilt disease and has been associated with avocado decline in multiple regions.
Xyleborus glabratus
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle
Xyleborus glabratus is a small ambrosia beetle native to Asia that has become a destructive invasive pest in the southeastern United States since its detection in 2002. The species is the primary vector of Raffaelea lauricola, the fungal pathogen that causes laurel wilt disease, which has killed millions of native Lauraceae trees including redbay, sassafras, and avocado. Females are the dispersing sex and initiate galleries in host wood, where they cultivate fungal gardens as food for their offspring. The beetle's rapid spread threatens both forest ecosystems and commercial avocado production.
Xyleborus volvulus
Xyleborus volvulus is a bark beetle in the family Curculionidae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions and has been documented in North America, the Caribbean, Middle America, and Africa. The species is an ambrosia beetle that cultivates symbiotic fungi in tunnels bored into wood. It has been observed to carry Raffaelea lauricola, the pathogen causing laurel wilt disease, which has altered its status from a wood degrader to a potential pest of avocado and other lauraceous trees.