The members of Triatominae (trī·ə′täm·ə′nē), a subfamily of Reuviidae, are also known as conenose bugs, kissing bugs or triatomines. Most of the 130 or more species of this subfamily are haematophagous, i.e. feed on vertebrate blood; exceptionally some species feed on other invertebrates (Sandoval et al. 2000, 2004). They are mainly found and widespread in America, with a few species present in Asia, Africa and Australia. These bugs usually share shelter with nesting vertebrates, from which they suck blood. All triatomine species are potential vectors of Chagas disease, but only those species (such as Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus) that are well adapted to live with humans are considered important vectors of the Chagas disease parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.