Kissing bugs have been found in 29 to 32 U.S. states, primarily in the southern half of the country but extending as far north as Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and other northern states. Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico are among the states with the highest numbers and species diversity of kissing bugs. Human cases of Chagas disease, transmitted by these bugs, have been documented in about 8 states including Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas. The bugs themselves have been detected in more states than where human cases have been confirmed. Here is a list of states where kissing bugs have been found or are known to be present:
- Texas
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- California
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Wyoming
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
These states vary in how common kissing bugs are, with some states having only rare sightings. The bugs pose a risk of transmitting Chagas disease, a serious condition caused by a parasite carried in their feces, mostly found in southern states but increasingly recognized in others as well.