Dark Kissing Bug vs Arctic Seed Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Kissing Bug | Arctic Seed Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panstrongylus megistus | Nysius groenlandicus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Lygaeidae |
| Size | 26-34 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay | Greenland, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Svalbard |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dark Kissing Bug
A large triatomine bug and important Chagas disease vector in Brazil. It has adapted to live in both sylvatic and domestic environments.
Did You Know?
It was the triatomine species Carlos Chagas used when he first discovered the disease that bears his name.
Arctic Seed Bug
A small, elongate grayish-brown seed bug with a narrow body and prominent eyes. It feeds on seeds and plant sap in Arctic tundra. Adults can tolerate freezing temperatures and are active throughout the short summer.
Did You Know?
This is one of the very few true bugs found in Greenland, where it survives on seeds of the limited Arctic flora.