noun
- a bloodsucking insect of the family Reduviidae, found in warm regions of the Americas, known for its cone-shaped head and painful bite
Usage: also called kissing bug or assassin bug; can transmit Chagas disease
Examples
- The conenose is a nocturnal insect that often bites people while they sleep.
- Conenose bugs are attracted to warm-blooded animals and human habitats.
- A conenose bite can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- The insect earned the nickname 'kissing bug' because conenose bites often occur near the mouth and face.
- In parts of Central and South America, conenose infestations are a public health concern.