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Glite Dictionary
cone-nosed bug

cone-nosed bug

9.9
A large insect that sucks blood and can spread Chagas disease
  • noun
  • /koʊn-noʊzd bʌg/
  • US
translation icon : chinche de nariz cónica
  • The cone-nosed bug is notorious for transmitting Chagas disease in some regions.

Examples

  • A scientist captured a cone-nosed bug specimen for further study in the laboratory.

  • Farmers are advised to check for cone-nosed bugs in barns and animal shelters.

  • I saw a cone-nosed bug in the garden.

  • The cone-nosed bugs are known for their painful bites.

  • Farmers are advised to check for cone-nosed bugs in barns and animal shelters.

  • The cone-nosed bug is notorious for transmitting Chagas disease in some regions.

  • A scientist captured a cone-nosed bug specimen for further study in the laboratory.

Synonyms

kissing bug
vscone-nosed bug
  • US
1 9.1

A large bloodsucking bug that bites near the mouth and can spread Chagas disease

is defined by the insect's conical nose rather than its biting location
Triatoma
vscone-nosed bug
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bug that drinks blood and can spread Chagas disease

is described by a large bloodsucking insect notable for its conical nose
conenose bug
vscone-nosed bug
  • Specialized
9.9

A large insect that sucks blood from people and sometimes spreads disease

focuses on the insect's distinctive conical nose rather than feeding detail
genus Triatoma
vscone-nosed bug
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of blood-sucking bugs that spread Chagas disease in Central and South America

is the common description stressing the insect's conical nose appearance
conenose
vscone-nosed bug
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bug that drinks blood and can spread Chagas disease to people

is the more specific common description that highlights the conical nose

Surface Forms

cone-nosed bug singular
cone-nosed bugs plural

Morphology

cone-nosed + bug

The phrase denotes a bug with a cone-shaped nose; this is directly compositional from 'cone' (conical shape) + '-nosed' (having a nose of that shape) combined with 'bug' (insect). The structure fits common adjective‑noun compounding patterns (e.g. 'long‑nosed', 'broad‑nosed') and is therefore predictable to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

The noun cone-nosed bug refers to a large 'blood-sucking' insect often called a 'kissing bug'. Its long, pointed mouth looks like a cone, so people called it cone-nosed and that name shows the cone and the nosed front and helps you remember it feeds on blood.