Insect Order
HEMIPTERA (TRUE BUG)
Piercing and sucking mouthparts - or rostrum - are what differentiate True Bugs from the rest and this means that the insects generally fed on plants as a natural diet. Around 12,000 such species are recognized in North America alone. These bugs can be found on land and in the water and have thick wings kept close to the body. A prominent identification feature is the triangular-shaped scutellum located on the thorax aft of the protonum. The Hemiptera order covers True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, and related insects.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Big Bed Bug; Kissing Bug; Mexican Bed Bug"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Triatoma sanguisuga.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Reduviidae
Genus: Triatoma
Species: sanguisuga
Characteristics
Antenna: Antenna are noticeably apparent on this insect.
Biting: This insect is known to bite. Exercise caution.
Caution: Caution should be exercised around this insect.
Harmful: Known to be harmful in one way or another.
Indoors: Can be found indoors; inside dwellings.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Pest: Generally considered a pest to humans.
Piercing / Sucking Mouth Parts: A common trait of 'True Bugs'.
Six-Legged: Six legs are common to this insect.
Winged: Has wings to hop or fly over distance.
Description
The Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose is also known by these other names:
Big Bed Bug :: Kissing Bug :: Mexican Bed Bug
The Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
large   black   red   grey   gray   orange   outdoors   indoors   harmful   pest   antenna   wings   winged   flying   six-legged   biting   pattern
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.63 inches
(16 mm)
Highest-High:
0.83 inches
(21 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose Picture (1)
1 of 1
Top down image of an adult Eastern Blood-sucking Conenose Bug showing detail.; Credit: Julie R. of Franklin, TN.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.