The insects are suspected to also feed off of many domestic pets and the wild animals that are abundant around human habitats. However, they are also capable of taking blood meals from humans. Because of their association with wild animal hosts, interactions with humans are more probable in areas that are surrounded by a natural environment in comparison to the disrupted landscaping of urban areas. Medical significance Triatoma are predominantly nocturnal and feed off of a sleeping person's exposed human body parts. Typically, they position themselves next to the recumbent human, rather than on top of the host, to feed with the proboscis being the only contacting body part.
Subjects describe the bite of Triatoma as virtually painless with a slight tingling sensation.
However, Triatoma can cause severe wounds via exposure to its salivary compounds and death from anaphylaxis is possible. This high frequency of detection should readily allow one to confirm or exclude the bite of this reduviid insect. However, for a minority, significant dermatologic injury occurs. Clinical expression has been divided into 4 categories and is summarized from Shields and Walsh. Grouped lesions are often misdiagnosed as herpes zoster.