The Eastern Blood-sucking
Conenose lives up to its name. It is about 3/4 of an inch
long. Its body is dark brown or black, with six orange spots
on each side of its abdomen.
It has a long head, which is cone-shaped with a long
mouthpart, called a proboscis.
This insect uses its proboscis to suck blood.
The conenose is found
hiding in cracks or crevices, underneath bark,
in tree holes, and in animal nests. They drink blood from
mammals,
such as rodents,
opossums, racoons, dogs, cats, and people. It usually feeds
on sleeping animals since it takes about 20 minutes to fill
up.
Drees, Texas A&M
University Department of Entomology
Female Eastern Blood-sucking
Conenoses lay eggs after they feed. Eggs are small, white, and
oval-shaped. These insects do not have a pupa
(resting) stage, so their larvae are called nymphs.
Conenose nymphs grow slowly and can take up to two years to become an
adult.
A nymph is pictured above.
Adult Eastern Blood-sucking
Conenoses can fly, but are not very good at it. At night, they are
attracted to lights, and they will often enter homes. Conenoses that
have just fed cannot get off the ground to fly.
Eastern Blood-sucking Conenoses
are eaten by most animals that prey on insects, such as birds and
amphibians.
Eastern Blood-sucking Conenoses
will prey on humans, especially when homes are close to wooded areas.
Their bite is usually painless, but some people have an
allergic
reaction which causes a
great deal of discomfort. Pets can be attacked also.
Conenoses are known to carry
parasites
and diseases, but this is more of a problem in other parts of the
world.
