A genus of bloodsucking bugs. T. infestans is important in transmitting ‘Chagas’ disease in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.
A genus of bloodsucking insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, family Reduviidae; commonly called cone-nosed bugs or assassin bugs. It includes the species T. bra ziliensis, T. dimidiata, T. infestans, T. protracta, T. recuva, and T. rubida. They are house-infesting pests and some species, esp. T. infestans, transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease.