Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose - Triatoma sanguisuga
Madison, Alabama. Sorry for the poor quality photo, more of a "record" shot for me.
Found from New Hampshire and Ontario south to Florida and Texas. This species is found in the nests of small mammals and may invade houses. It is nocturnal. Adults are seen June-December, at least in North Carolina.
This species feeds upon the blood of mammals, especially Eastern Wood Rat, Neotoma floridana. Also feeds on bed bugs and other insects. After mating and finding a host, adults no longer fly; female scatters many eggs after blood meal (usually May-September); nymphs have 8 instars and usually take two years to mature (entire life cycle 3 years).
Sometimes bites humans, and the bite may be severe, causing an allergic reaction.
Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose - Triatoma sanguisuga
Madison, Alabama. Sorry for the poor quality photo, more of a "record" shot for me.
Found from New Hampshire and Ontario south to Florida and Texas. This species is found in the nests of small mammals and may invade houses. It is nocturnal. Adults are seen June-December, at least in North Carolina.
This species feeds upon the blood of mammals, especially Eastern Wood Rat, Neotoma floridana. Also feeds on bed bugs and other insects. After mating and finding a host, adults no longer fly; female scatters many eggs after blood meal (usually May-September); nymphs have 8 instars and usually take two years to mature (entire life cycle 3 years).
Sometimes bites humans, and the bite may be severe, causing an allergic reaction.