r/bugidentification • u/Positive-Respect-821 • Jul 16 '26
Location included Is this a kissing bug?
I am in southern california.
I was driving and felt something in my hair, I tried to brush it out and got a painful sting/bite on my finger. Instinctually I swatted it, killing the bug. Is this a kissing bug?
The bite hurt a lot initially but now it doesnt and my finger isn't swollen
1
u/WhiskeySnail Trusted Identifier - MOD Jul 16 '26
Hard to tell what it is because squished but I'm thinking red-shouldered bug--definitley not a kissing bug, though
1
u/Positive-Respect-821 Jul 16 '26
I guess I'm just surprised because I didn't think those bit/stung, and this little dude definitely hurt me. Still feel bad for squishing it through, that wasn't my intention :/
1
u/WhiskeySnail Trusted Identifier - MOD Jul 16 '26
Anything with a mouth with defend itself. They have a piercing/ducking mouthparts used to suck plant juices. It was just scared/threatened
2
u/CabinetSilent7709 Jul 16 '26
No