Numerous species of assassin bugs occur essentially worldwide. The wheel bug belongs to this group. Reduvius senilis,the tan assassin bug, is found in the desert areas of the southwestern United States and Maxico.R.personatus occurs throughout the United States and southern Europe.Melanolestes picipes is widely distributed in the United States.
Several species of kissing bugs will attack humans, and some are capable of transmitting Trypanosoma cruzi,the causative agent of Chagas’ disease; however, only a few species are efficient vectors. The four principal vectors of Chagas’ disease in Central and South America are Panstongylus megistus, Rbodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans, and T.dimidiata. The most important vector in Mexico is T.barberi. In the southwestern United States,T.gerstaeckeri and T.protracta are important kissing bug species, and T.sanguisuga occurs throughout much of the southern United States.
Geographical distribution of Assassin bugs