‘Kissing’ insect a real killer

This nasty little bugger’s bite could be the kiss of death.

A blood-sucking insect known as the “kissing bug” for its habit of biting people on or near the lips has become a terrifying menace in the southern United States.

Researchers say that up to 30 percent of the victims it infects develop lifethreatening health problems, including deadly heart disease.

It’s attracted to the carbon-dioxide exhalations of sleeping humans, which is why it often bites near the eyes or mouth.

Eleven species of the parasite-harboring triatomin bug live in 40 states, extending as far north as Pennsylvania in the east and California in the west.

The bugs’ excrement carries a parasite that can enter the body if smeared on the eyes and mouth and can cause Chagas disease, an illness that affects at least 300,000 Americans.

The disease also can be spread through blood transfusions and organ donation, although most US blood banks screen for the parasite.

Dubbed the “silent killer” because it can go undetected for months or even more than a decade, Chagas disease can also cause stroke, irregular heartbeat or sudden death, Forbes reported.

The bug has not yet appeared in New York, and is most prevalent in the hottest months in Texas, Florida and southern California.

The long-term effects of the parasite in the bloodstream is worrying experts.

Doctors say widespread screening and early treatment for the parasite are needed to help prevent the spread of the disease.