why are they called kissing bugs

They are called "kissing bugs" because they tend to bite people on the face, particularly around the mouth and eyes. This behavior of biting near the lips or face, often when people are asleep, is what gives them the name "kissing bugs." The bites usually occur at night, and the bugs feed on blood. Their mouthparts are specialized to do this quietly and without causing much pain, so people may not even notice the bite immediately. The name reflects the location of the bite rather than anything affectionate about the insect. Kissing bugs are also known as triatomine bugs or conenose bugs. They carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. The bugs defecate near the bite wound, and the parasite can enter the body if the person scratches the bite or rubs their eyes or mouth, making the face bite an important detail in the transmission of the disease.