The Triatominae, a subfamily of the true bug family Reduviidae, are commonly known as kissing bugs, conenose bugs or vampire bugs, among more than 130 species that mostly feed on the blood of vertebrates. Found mainly in the Americas, with a few species in Asia and Africa, they typically share shelter with nesting vertebrates from which they suck blood. In areas where Chagas disease occurs, every triatomine species is a potential vector of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, though only species well adapted to living near humans are considered significant vectors, and proteins in their bites can also trigger anaphylaxis in sensitized people.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Partially Attested
Scientific NameSource names only the subfamily Triatominae, not a single species Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Kissing Bug
Sources
1. Wikidata: Kissing Bug
- Wikidata Q13381446, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Wikipedia 'Triatominae': feed from around the mouths of people, suck blood from vertebrates
- Wikipedia 'Triatominae': all triatomine species are potential vectors of the Chagas disease parasite Trypanosoma cruzi
- Child Taxon Of: Assassin Bug, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q768510 (Assassin Bug)
View the Source2. Triatominae
Lead paragraph
The members of the Triatominae
- kissing bugs found in Americas/Asia/Africa
View the Source3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ13381446, descriptionView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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