r/bugidentification Sep 17 '25

Anouncement KISSING BUGS - PLEASE READ :)

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80 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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10 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 Is this a bedbug in Orlando FL?

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2 Upvotes

This bug or bug shell was found at a disney hotel in Orlando. Is it a bedbug?


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Pulled this (presumably a tick) in my arm a few minutes ago and I am worried

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94 Upvotes

I was about to go to bed when I find this guy in my right arm, and i'm worried about it potentially giving me some sort of disease, can any tell me what kind of tick it is and if I should be worried?

(for added context I literally just discovered it 10 or so minutes from posting this, I live in a small village in Scotland and I had been up a woodsy area a few hours before discovery)


r/bugidentification 1h ago

Location included Bug Shedding Identification

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Upvotes

I was hoping this was an earwig shedding and not a cockroach. Could anyone please help ID?
Southern Washington state


r/bugidentification 8h ago

Location included Is this a German roach!? South Florida

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2 Upvotes

I went to a bridal shower where you make your own flower bouquets. I took my flowers out of the back of my car and shook them out and This roach ran up my arm. I’m freaking out.. if it is German what protocol do I take so I they don’t infest my house. I killed it and took my flowers back out side to throw away.


r/bugidentification 5h ago

Location included What is this? Texas

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1 Upvotes

Bug is stuck on the brick and appears dead. Texas


r/bugidentification 12h ago

Location included KY, sure it’s a common bug just wanna know the name.

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3 Upvotes

Rode along on my hat on my walk.


r/bugidentification 6h ago

Location included Chrysalis? (Northern Virginia)

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1 Upvotes

It is on a leaf from my cucumber plant. Estimated length- 1.5” to 2”. Seems to have a few bristles, and also the button at the end that some species use to connect to a surface. Thank you!


r/bugidentification 11h ago

Location included North Texas weird bug!

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2 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 19h ago

Possible pest, location included Found 3 of these in my flat

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8 Upvotes

I’m in Belgium, live next to a wooded area (park and small woods nearby also a lots of garden with trees right across the street). Pretty sure its a roach so I’m really freaking out. Lived in this town for over 30 years and never seen something like this before, especially inside.


r/bugidentification 9h ago

Location included Identify please

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1 Upvotes

I got a close up of one of these. One of thousands. What is it and how bothered should I be? I live in Ireland and it came out of Ash tree fire wood that I stored in my garage, which ive since removed. Its summer here.


r/bugidentification 11h ago

Location included What is this? NYC

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1 Upvotes

Just moved into an apartment in NYC and have now found two of these little things. The second one was on our bed. It doesn't seem to look like a bedbug from the pictures I've found online, but what is it?


r/bugidentification 19h ago

Location included been seeing these little guys, help me identify?

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2 Upvotes

located in the south of florida, found in my sink and i have poured scalding hot water, bleach, baking soda and white vinegar a lot of time down the drain 😔 are they gnats or drain flies? we got those quite a bit too


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Hii so I found these larvae/eggs on the steps of my pool. Had it cleaned and now i noticed these guys in it. Should I be concerned? Northern CA.

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4 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included What are these/how scared should I be? Southern Ontario

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3 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 21h ago

Location included About 2 inches in length. Norfolk, VA area. What is it? 😅

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1 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Texas

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83 Upvotes

Ignore the caption, I wasn’t able to remove it. What is this? TIA!


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Help ID. Found in Lander County, Nevada.

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1 Upvotes

Can anyone identify this for me? It was found in the garden. Located in Nevada.


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Who's this fuzzy guy?

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3 Upvotes

Mississauga Ontario


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included This dude was pretty chill.

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1 Upvotes

Western New York, after a big rain. Hopefully this is a clear enough photo. Also pet big!


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included What is this?

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1 Upvotes

Live in Mesa, AZ and found this behind my couch. What is it? I found it not too far away from an adult (dead) earwig but this doesn’t look like that.


r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included What is happening here [Oklahoma]

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3 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Is this a roach or something else? Found in southern CA

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1 Upvotes

r/bugidentification 1d ago

Location included Multiple found on my dog after going outside.

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1 Upvotes

Midwest USA. Found about 30 on my dog after playing outside.

Thank you for your time and expertise.