What are the kissing, or assassin, bugs?

Assassin bugs are triatomids, a subfamily of the reduviids, of the order Hemiptera, or “true bugs,” and are generally adapted to nocturnal, rapid (3 to 5 minutes), painless feedings on blood. They live in rural settings, finding refuge in animal burrows, poorly constructed buildings, and occasionally drawn toward lighted homes at night in the southwest United States, Central America, and South America. The bites form red papules that can lead to allergic sensitization and moderately severe itching that last for weeks. Later, large patches of urticaria may develop, as well as systemic anaphylactic reaction.

Vetter R: Kissing bugs (Triatoma) and the skin, Dermatol Online J 7:6, 2001. (This is a free online journal that includes photographs.)