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Show 2 - THORNY TIMES - JULY 15, 1995 swells and becomes red and feverish. Welts at the point of puncture are hard, and may be 1 to 3 inches in diameter. About 5% of the people repeatedly bit- ten develop severe allergic reactions with burning pain and itching at the site of the bite, itching on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, neck, and groin; general body swelling, and a nettle—like rash over the body. Some persons feel ill, with light depression followed by quickening of the pulse. Others are faint, weak, and nauseat— ed. In very severe allery these symptoms may lead to anaphylactic shock and unconsciousness. Treatment of Conenose Bites Although a specific treatment for co— BUG ALERT! This is not a joke! They are here! They are among us! They are real! I am a victim of the Conenose. I was taken to a hospital puffed up like a toad in great abdominal pain, welts all over my body. I thought I might be dying. There have been many people in Castle Valley rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night because of aria phylactic shock related to the conenose bug. There have been mass hatchings in the Valley, such as the one on the eve of Rob and Penny Coronis’s wedding. At least 50 people witnessed, in horror, as thousands and thousands of Conenose bugs flew through the air, covered trees like aphids, made the walls of their cabin a grey, moving mass. I ran to my car, rolled up the windows, and slept there all night. Once, there were rock climbers bivouacking overnight on the Titan in nenose bites has not been developed, associated with subtropical climates. Certain South American species of the family Reduviidae are disease carrying and there is evidence the conenoses in San Diego County, California, are infected with a disease-producing flagellate. Lack of large bug populations in close contact with man and ineffective transmission some physicians use epinephrine. More promising results appear possible with antihistamine preparations (under doctor’s prescription) such as benadryl and pyribenzamine, which have been effective by mouth, and in severe reactions, by intravenous injections. Matheson writes: “When a blood-sucking insect bites, it is always possible that the proboscis may be contaminated with habits protect man in the Southwest from pathogenic organisms. If such organisms disease contacts. However, the site of the bug’s bite becomes inflamed, and swelling may spread over an area up to a foot in diameter. In general appearance, conenose bugs resemble assassin and squash bugs, with protruding eyes at the base of a coneshaped snout and are about the same size. Some species are considerably smaller, while others attain a length of an inch or become localized near the point of punc— ture or gain access to the blood stream, re— sults may be serious. It is always wise to use some disinfectant such as alcohol, tincture of iodine, etc., and to press out more. Habitat of Conenose Bugs Since conenose bugs subsist upon ani- mal blood which they suck from the capillan'es by inserting the stylets of the pro- Fisher Towers. They were attacked so boscis, they seek locations where there is ruthlessly that members of the party a source of blood. These include livestock had to stay awake to keep the bugs off the others. The conenose were feeding on the bats there. They are coming out now that the weather has warmed up. I hear them beforeI see them. They fly low and have barns, poultry houses, and human habitations. Studies conducted by Wehrle show that conenoses are parasitic on woodrats and breed in the dens of these rodents. They are also found in meadow vole (mouse) nests. Early in May the winged conenose adults begin dispersal flights, invading human habitations in the vicinity of woodrat dens. Although reported as most active in May and June, they may be ex- the blood, if possible, from bites made by insects." Antibiotics are frequently necessary to control the extremely high per- centage of secondary infections. Physicians recommend the application of a hot Epsom salt pack over the point of puncture as soon as possible after the bite has been received. Application of antiphi- ogistine alleviates the sever itching. ACTH is recommended by some physicians. Hydrocortisone ointrnents reduce pected throughout the summer until the skin eruptions and local pain. Control of Conenose Bugs Prevention is more satisfactory than treatment, and since conenoses live in woodrat dens, these rodents should be eliminated from the vicinity. Weather stripping around all permanent doors and screen doors, tight fitting, holeless screens in all windows, and fine screens in fireplace chimneys will help to keep the bugs out of houses. Occasoinally they may be seen on walls and ceilings in the evening, and may be killed with a flyswat— I11 the book, Poisonous Dwellers of the October, and are much more numerous in ter. Desert, sold in all southwest national the country than in cities. parks for $3.95, they are right between black widow spiders and scorpions. Good bug hunting! by Melody Taylor During the daytime, the insects remain hidden under rugs, between quilts, or even in bedding or behind drapes. They may be seen during the evening on ceiling beams, walls, curtains, and around windows. They are alert and difficult to catch. A conenose bug does not attack a per— son until the victim is quiet or asleep, and may take blood without awakening the host Immediately after being bitten, If impossible to keep the insects out of the house, sleeping persons may be pro- a deep, low buzz. When I do find them, I squash them. They smell like ripe bananas when squished, and if they “got you,” they will be full of blood. Again, this is a real bug among us. Conenose Bug (Kissing bug, bellows bug, Hualapai tiger, Cross bug, others) (Triatoma sp.) Although not limited to the deserts of the Southwest, conenose bugs, of which there are several species, are commonly however, the victim is awakened by se— vere itching. The area about the puncture tected by the use of mosquito netting. It is especialy important that the beds of babies and young children should be safe guarded because of the danger from scorpi— ons. Bedding should be shaken thoroughly just before children retire, because both scorpions and conenose bugs have a habit of concealing themselves in bedding dur— ing the daytime. (From Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert) |