Here are a couple of images of Swallow Bugs, Oeciacus vicarius. They are not good images, I need to learn more and practise more with the close-up lens. If I can find any more of these bugs I will try for better images. These bugs live in cliff swallow nests, increase each year the nests are used and can cause significant hatchling mortality if their numbers are high. Swallow bugs are capable of transmitting equine encephalitis. Their bite is painless but the resulting welt can cause irritation and itching in sensative people and animals.

Swallow bugs are closely related to Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius), Bat Bugs(Cimex pilosellus), and Poultry Bugs (Haematosiphon inodorus). They are all tiny blood sucking creatures about 1/4 to 3/8 inch long. Their names reflect their favorite hosts but all will feed on other animals including human when their preferred host is no longer available. They tend to invade houses when their host animal lives in or on the building.