6/6/12

Vector - Kissing Bug






Rhodnius prolixus. 8"x11" Pigment ink on 11"x14" Bristol board.


Please read about Chagas Disease. It sounds like a story out of a science fiction magazine but it's very real. You would not want to get kissed by this because of this. This kissing bug causes sleeping sickness and a host of other systemic problems. It may take up to 20 years to develop symptoms. Some people may not be aware they are carriers or have the disease until it is too late.

This exotic disease is no longer limited to South and Central America. This disease is now in the U.S. due to Poverty and immigration.



AABB-Chagas Map


Sarkar-Chagas map





23 comments:

Rick Forrestal said...

Oh no, another critter I have to watch out for.
Since learning about "killer bees", headed north from South America (and into Texas), I've been looking over my shoulder for swarms.
And now there's Chagas disease.

And this bug's not even cute. Nasty parasitic blood sucker.
Your drawing is appropriately scary (and dark). It's good (I guess.)
I liked your acorns better.
Thanks for the alert.
Geez!

Tammie Lee said...

oh my my!

Deborah said...

EWE!!! That was a little unpleasant trip down the educational aisle. What made you even think of it? Did you see one? I don't think I want to know the lesser known deadly bugs! Although it is drawn quite well! **kisses** but none for him; just you. Deb ♥♥♥

Ces Adorio said...

You know that in my professional job I write rule programs for these infectious organisms that are multi-drug resistant. One day in the news I read about Chagas and in one of our meetings we discussed it. I work with several microbiologists. They love that kind of topics so I draw them and they get excited. Hahaha!

Ces Adorio said...

Oh, it also makes me read more about them.

Ces Adorio said...

Hehehe!

Ces Adorio said...

Oh, the bug looks hideous! Yes! I am afraid of swarming bees, wasps, anything with stingers.

martinealison said...

Oh la la!!! Qu'est-ce encore que ce truc-là!... c'est effrayant !...
Après que tu aies dessiné ces affreuses bêtes, ne te sentais-pas contaminée par elles!...
Je ne sais pas si cela démange mais rien qu'à les voir j'ai des démangeaisons!
Gros bisous.

k.h.whitaker said...

Arrrrrrhhhhhh, no another phobia. Just kidding, although I do hate the thought of parasites, little buggies and protozoa. Yeah, ewwwwwwww, no thanks! and it looks like they are in Georgia! What? First we have a flesh eating virus in the water and now kissing bugs! Good grief...

Ted Blackman said...

Exterminators have made a fortune here in Southern California tapping into people's paranoia. They tell us killer bees and dangerous black mold are everywhere, and now they have a new critter to paint on the side of their trucks! Bed bugs are small potatoes compared to this little money maker. They must be licking their chops.

Ces Adorio said...

Oh no! This is a communicable disease. The bug is just a vector. This disease may be transmitted in other ways. and infects the organs and bloodstream.

Ted Blackman said...

Oh, the exterminators won't tell us that part, no profit in that. But thank you Ces, for your informative blog, and giving us the heads up. What can you tell me about the drywood termites devouring my porch? :(

Ces Adorio said...

Hahahaha. - To move away up north where there are no termites! Ah I know I talk about bugs and diseases. That's what I deal with everyday. If I am not analyzing a patient's record why a rule module fired or did not fire, I am writing rules to evaluate drug resistant bugs!

Ces Adorio said...

Ewwww! I read about the flesh eating bugs, but you know I came from a tropical country. I have seen so many weird things and all I can remember was I tried to run away every time I saw something awful.

Ces Adorio said...

Hello Martine, this is not a very good bug and unfortunately it is not my imagination. :)

Deborah said...

I love you too. All of you, however many there may be in there! Feel better. **kisskiss** Deb

illustration poetry said...

keep calm and exterminate.

Ces Adorio said...

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate all of them. Sheesh! I am so busy but I wanted to tell all of you that my daughter read the post yesterday and said "Mom, you are such a nerd." Hahaha! I have to paint or draw something to make her think I am cool. Or maybe I'll just take the nerd label.

illustration poetry said...

hahaha keep calm and draw more, grandewitch!!

Ted Blackman said...

Stay a nerd, more interesting. You really don't want to draw Iphones and anime do you??

Ces Adorio said...

Keep calm indeed!

Ces Adorio said...

Iphones? What do you mean draw iPhones?

Bella Sinclair said...

Kiss kiss

You know, the one with his nose out the crack is actually kinda cute.

Oy, I need a man. Hahaha!