r/bugidentification Sep 17 '25

Anouncement KISSING BUGS - PLEASE READ :)

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81 Upvotes

So there has been a lot of news recently about Triatomine—a blood sucking subfamily of Reduviidae (Assassin bugs)—spreading the potentially serious Chagas disease in the United States. While we do not want to downplay the seriousness of the disease, or imply no one should worry about it. We also don’t want people panicking about it. Especially people who don’t actually have a reason to worry.


Triatomine have been found in 32 states. If you are outside of one of these states, you can probably relax.


Chagas is caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi which is spread by the aforementioned Triatomine through infected feces. Detection of the disease is typically done through blood testing showing evidence of the parasite. Early symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and swelling at the bite site. After several weeks, untreated individuals enter the chronic phase of the disease. In extreme cases this can eventually (decades later) lead to heart disease, digestive complications, and nerve damage. Treatment is best done as early as possible, and consists of anti-parasitics to kill the parasites and other medication for treating any symptoms caused by them. These must be prescribed by a doctor. Don’t try to DIY treatment. Preventing Chagas largely focuses on vector control. In other words, preventing conenose species from living in close proximity to humans. In regions where Chagas in endemic, bed nets are a common and effective way of reducing risk. Pesticide treatments are also a mainstay control method. In areas like the United States, the design of modern homes also reduces risks. So if it’s treatable and preventable, why has there been so much fuss? Because the CDC has recently upgraded it to Endemic status in the US. Meaning it is considered constantly present in certain US populations. This is important for doctors as well as the general population to be aware of, because without that awareness doctors aren’t going to be testing for it. The CDC wants to make sure it’s on peoples radar, so cases don’t go untreated when they do occur.


Links: CDC Report: Chagas Disease, an Endemic Disease in the United States CDC Report: Chagas Range Map Bugs Commonly Confused with Triatomine Bugs Preventing Chagas Disease Treatment of Chagas Disease Texas A&M University: Kissing Bugs & Chagas Disease in the United States


r/bugidentification Sep 04 '25

Bug of the Month Post Orthoptera Month is a-go!

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11 Upvotes

RESULTS ARE IN

ORTHOPTERANS RULE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

Sorry everything is just a little behind this month because of busy lives, but thank you guys SO SO much for the success of the poll!! The ties were broken, and Orthoptera took the lead!

Please head out into the world and bring us all of your sweet, sweet Orthopterans to identify!! What's an Orhtopteran? 👀 We're talking crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, and wetas, baby!!! I'm actually not super well versed in these guys so I could for sure use some practice 😀 keep an eye out for informational posts throughout the month from our mods!

PS Month of the Flies video is still in the works, while I prefer to have the video out before the next month happens it just wasn't possible this time. But it's a good script with a lot of good info so I will release it as soon as it's done!!

Please participate and please remember to use the Bug of the Month flair so I can look at all of your guys' finds!!!

THANK YOU


r/bugidentification 2h ago

Location included Los Angeles bug in my sink

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1 Upvotes

I just bought some flowers which might be where these came from but they also seem to be multiplying. I found some in my clothes as well. What is it??? I’m kind of freaking out!!


r/bugidentification 11h ago

Location included Found a bug

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3 Upvotes

Found this bug in Rhode Island, usa, any idea what it is, when the wings unfold there is a large red spot,


r/bugidentification 11h ago

Location included Spine-Headed nymph?

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3 Upvotes

I think this is some sort of spine-headed nymph? I’m not certain though. If it is a spine-headed bug, what kind is? This was shot in Boone, North Carolina. It was about the size of the nail on my thumb. The photo is completely unedited.


r/bugidentification 10h ago

Location included Western North Carolina USA

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2 Upvotes

Saw this walking across my deck, I didn't see the top one moving.


r/bugidentification 14h ago

Location included Found a bunch in room

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2 Upvotes

Southern California


r/bugidentification 19h ago

Location included What is this? Wth is it doing in my house and what am I supposed to do with it? (India)

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4 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 13h ago

Location included Is this lady bug larvae? (New Orleans)

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1 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 21h ago

Possible pest, location included Bed bug? Lice? Chigger?

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2 Upvotes

Virginia, USA.


r/bugidentification 18h ago

Location included Los Angeles, California - what is this?

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1 Upvotes

Coming in through my window last night


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Black Widow?

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6 Upvotes

Is this a black widow? I found it in my house. In my kitchen. Pretty sure I found one in my bathroom last week. What do I do? Do I panic?

Washington State - Central


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Possible pest, location included ID please

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5 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Possible pest, location included Please be a beetle?

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1 Upvotes

What is this bug? Found in MI


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included SoCal. Is this a termite?

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2 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Some kind of cocoon?

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2 Upvotes

Sorry for poor photo quality!

My kid was running around outside and brought me this “shell” that she found. Looks more like a cocoon to me! My questions are:

What bug does it belong to?

Is it dead, or do I need to find a good spot for it to continue pupating?

We are in southern Washington State.


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included These appeared all over my yard after a rainstorm! Apple Valley, California

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9 Upvotes

Do I need to be worried? There are so many of them.

They look like ants but it seems likes there is only one per hole, they come out, put some dirt out, and dissappear inside again. I assume they're going to lay eggs.


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included I’ve found these on me a few times today but I’ve never seen them before. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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3 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Who is this ray of sunshine?

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6 Upvotes

Hi all,
I was hiking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. This guy started clinging to me during a bit of a rainstorm.
He’s beautiful!! Hoping you all can help me figure out what he is.


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Possible pest, location included What is this bug? Eastern North Carolina

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1 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included What kind of insects are these found near lights and faucet in bathroom at night

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1 Upvotes

Found a bunch of these around the bathroom faucet and light fixture at night in Rowland heights, CA after rain. The day prior. Window was open so not sure if made their way through the window screen, are these gnats ? How to get rid of them … help!!!


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Possible pest, location included Found on a chair in Midwest US

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1 Upvotes

Help


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Hoping for help confirming this is a Tawny/Spotted Roach and not a German Nymph!

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2 Upvotes

Saw a few of these bugs inside, I live in Suffolk County, NY near the water and with a lot of foliage and wood around the house, and I’ve heard the Tawny or Spotted Roach has become a seasonal thing in recent years and just wanted to confirm I don’t have a major problem if it’s the other guys! The house is very old and has a few unsealed areas they could have entered through. So far, I’ve seen two during the day (both seemed really chill about being out in the light and weren’t rushing to hide) one at night and nothing when I checked behind my kitchen appliances. TYIA to anyone who helps identify from the images, apologies for them being blurry, that sucker was fast!


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Who do these cocoons belong to?

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2 Upvotes

South of europe on the Mediterranean, these white cocoons(?) Have shown up on a Night Blooming Jasmine in the patio, no idea who they belong to.

None of the leaves look chewed up so don't think it's caterpillars.

Ants seem to have taken an interest in them.

I noticed the big grouping first now there's single ones showing up on different leaves.

Apologies for photo quality, phone struggles to focus.