The Conenose Bug
From May through July, Big Bend residents are often disturbed to be the subject of blood-sucking insects, known as Conenose bugs.
Conenose bugs (photograph) are blood sucking true bugs, three-quarters to one inch long, dark brown to black, with reddish-orange or yellowish markings. The wings fold flat over the back. Overall, the shape is similar to a long tear-drop. The head has a “cone” shape, and slender piercing/sucking mouthparts. Their normal habitat is in rock or debris cavities, often in association with nests of small mammals such as packrats, where they suck blood from their hosts.
Primarily during May, June and July, conenose are serious pests because they enter houses and bite sleeping persons. They can be found in and around homes and other structures, particularly those not well sealed from the environment.
When inside houses, they live in cracks and crevices of the structure and furnishings, including floors, walls, crawlspaces, in bedding layers, behind draperies and furniture, and among stored materials. They emerge nocturnally in search of blood meals.
Long-term serious effects have not been documented in the Big Bend area. However, in Central and South America, the insects are known to transmit Chagas disease, a life-threatening illness.
Most bites are painless to itchy. However, some persons can have strong allergic reactions. Very sensitive persons may suffer anaphylactic shock or extreme swelling. Most victims experience localized itching, redness and swelling or “welts” that persist for several days.
Keeping conenoses out of the home is the most effective defense. Ensure that doors, windows, and screens close tightly. Inspect the structure for cracks in walls and masonry, and around crawlspaces, pipes, doors, screens, windows, and vents. Eliminate trash, woodpiles and other nesting sites nearby. Minimize use of exterior lights, particularly near doors. Contact Facility Management for assistance with structural repairs.
If the insects cannot be kept out, move beds away from walls, don’t let bedcovers touch the floor, and place bed legs inside water containers. In the worst cases, residents have resorted to using mosquito bed nets or sleeping in screen tents pitched on the bed. Nightly inspection of spaces behind and under furniture, beds, linens, cushions and other potential hiding places can be effective in reducing conenose prevalence in the home.
When stung, the first indicator is often localized itching that within minutes develops into into the characteristic “welt”. Do not scratch the site. Feces left by the insect could carry disease vectors and scratching could bring the feces in contact with the wound, assisting infection. Monitor your reaction and seek medical treatment if necessary.
Contact the park Wildlife Biologist for information.
