Western conifer seed bug
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| Western conifer seed bug | ||||||||||||||
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| Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 |
Not to be confused with the Florida leaf-footed bug or Leptoglossus phyllopus.
Western conifer seed bugs or leaf-footed bugs (Leptoglossus occidentalis) are true bugs in the family Coreidae that prey on seeds of coniferous trees in North America, and are considered minor tree pests. They do not bite or sting. Their primary defense is to spray an offending smell; however, if handled roughly they will stab with their beak, which they use to extract sap from trees. When in flight they make a buzzing noise. They are somewhat similar in appearance to the wheel bug and other assassin bugs, which have a painful bite, but can be recognized by the expanded hind legs.
[edit] Range
This insect is common along the west coast, and appears to be expanding east. This bug has been located as far northeast as Maine. [1]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Eaton, Eric R. and Kaufmann, Kenn (2006). Kaufman field guide to insects of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0-618-15310-1.
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