Conenose bugs feed on what?

• A. Plant sap
• B. Blood
• C. Nectar
• D. Soil

Answer: (B)

Conenose bugs are hematophagous, meaning they feed on the blood of vertebrates. They have specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts that let them puncture skin and suck blood, usually at night when hosts are resting. This is why blood is the correct answer. They do not feed on plant sap, nectar, or soil—the food sources for other insects such as sap-feeders, nectar-foragers, or soil-dwelling detritivores. Understanding their blood-feeding habit also highlights why they’re a concern for disease transmission and why control focuses on limiting host contact and entry into living spaces.