''Triatoma indictiva'' is an arthropod in the assassin bug family of Reduviidae, and is an important vector of '' Trypanosoma cruzi''. ''T. cruzi'' is the protozoan that causes

Chagas Disease Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by ''Trypanosoma cruzi''. It is spread mostly by insects in the subfamily ''Triatominae'', known as "kissing bugs". The symptoms change over the cou ...

, which affects approximately eight million people a year in the western hemisphere alone. ''Triatoma indictiva'' is found in Mexico and throughout the southern United States, including Arizona and Texas.

Physical characteristics and development

''Triatoma indictiva'' is between long when fully developed and can be identified taxonomically by their pear shape, tapered beak, observing the length of the scape and the red vestiges on its side. ''T. inductiva'' are paurometabolous and undergo 3 life stages including: egg, nymph and adult. The head and thorax of ''T. inductiva'' are black except for the red markings of its side and the slightly lighter colored third section of the leg. ''T. indictiva'' has a narrow head and tri-segmented antennae, with black forewings that cover the abdomen.

Habitat

''Triatoma indictiva'' are generally nidicolous (born immature) and are found in wooded areas or birds nests, but also can be found inside a house or other man-made structures. ''T. indictiva'' has been reported in Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. It is believed that ''T. indictiva'' is more commonly found in dwellings in Mexico and poorer regions, because it is easier for a colony to form in an open residence, bringing them more frequently into contact with people. Due to the fact that ''T. indictiva'' is established throughout much of Mexico, especially in areas with poor economic conditions, they are difficult to manage.

Feeding

''Triatoma indictiva'' are hematophagous (blood-sucking) and mainly feed on mammals, including humans, but they also feed on birds and reptiles.Coin, Patrick. "Genus Triatoma - Bloodsucking Conenoses." Welcome to BugGuide.Net! - BugGuide.Net. Iowa State University Entomology, 11 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Nov. 2013. In their nymphal stages, ''T. indictiva'' can easily switch between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, but the reasons that cause the switch is currently unknown.Identification of Bloodmeal Sources and Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Triatomine Bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) From Residential Settings in Texas, the United States Sonia A. Kjos Journal of Medical Entomology(2013),50(5):1126 Adult ''T. indictiva'', when feeding on humans bite around the lips or face, which is how the term "kissing bug" was formed. This is dangerous because, ''T. indictiva'' occasionally defecate during or after a blood meal, which can leave behind fecal matter containing ''T. cruzi.''

Vector of Chagas disease

''T. indictiva'' is one of the main vectors of ''T. cruzi'', the

hemoflagellate {{Short pages monitor