Step aside, mono, there's a new kissing disease out there, and this one includes six legs and is far less romantic. What Are Kissing Bugs? First of all, these weird insects are called kissing bugs, and they are found all over North America. Dogs or other mammals can also become infected if they eat a kissing bug carrying the parasite. Deadly Texas: The Lone Star State's Most Dangerous Insects & Arachnids Encounters with Texas insects can be magical (think flights of Monarch butterflies!