Is this a Shield Bug?
January 26, 2010
Image 1.I first thought this was a Shield Bug, but am not so sure especially the hind legs?
Image2. Large 2inch beetle?
Image3. What type of Assasin bug could this be?
Many Thanks
Jeff Keyes
Jeff @sportsmancreek.org
Grafton New South Wales Australia

Clown Bug

Dear Jeff,
Generally, we only like to post one species of insect, or at least only closely related species in the same posting, and we prefer that letters be more than a list, as information that is provided is often very helpful for identification purposes.  Detailed letters are also much more entertaining than reading a list.  With that said, your first and third images are both in the same family, Coreidae, commonly called the Leaf Footed Bugs or Big Legged Bugs.  In the case of your specimens, Big Legged Bugs seems more appropriate.  We suspect that your two images might be the same species, as nymphs are often more brightly colored than adults which are winged.  We researched this on the Brisbane Insect website and we believe you have submitted photos of a Clown Bug in the adult and late instar nymph forms.  The Clown Bug, Amorbus robustus, is also called the Eucalyptus Tip Bug.  Your photos are beautiful.

Clown Bug nymph

Fall and over winter visitor
January 16, 2010
I have an insect that is probably 1/2 in long not including the head. It has a rusty color (the wings?) and white lines on the sides under the wings. It seems to be found near my slider to the deck. It also finds its way upstairs. It can makes a low buzzing noise when it clumsily flies around like a helicopter. It’ss slow and easy to catch. I just started to see them with the cooler weather in November and now in January continue to see them. What should I do with them? I don’t like to harm bugs. It has six legs. Here’s one at my blog http://naturalworlds.blogspot.com.
Can we co-exist? Will it eat my house that is mostly wood? Thank you in advance. Your site is wonderful.
tess
northeast USA

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi tess,
WE have posted several photos of the Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, in the past week.  This harmless Leaf Footed Bug often seeks shelter indoors when the weather turns cooler.  It will not harm your home, its furnishings, nor its inhabitants.

Thank you very much. That is indeed my bug!  I won’t be in a hurry to throw them out the door into the cold since, according to what I’m reading, they will let themselves out in the spring.
Thanks again,
teresa

Crawling on the TV in my Daughters room
January 15, 2010
I had woken up at around 3:30am and checked in on my daughter. When I turned on the light I saw this little example of mother nature crawling his way to wherever he was going. So I did what all mothers do when they feel thier children are in danger, and whacked it with a shoe till it stoped moving. I took a close look at it and realized it has a close resemblence to a kissing bug. Which got me very scarred. I like in a well maintained apartment building in Peekskill, NY and it’s the middle of January. Could it really be one of those nasty little blood suckers, or do I owe it a apology and a mtachbox burial. I am very concered because it was so close to my daughters bed. Please if someone could get back to me I would greatly appreciate it.
Sincerest thanks
Karla B. T. (surname withheld to preserve anonymity)
Peekskill, NY 10566

Western Conifer Seed Bug smashed with a shoe

Hi Karla,
This is a Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, one of the Leaf Footed Bugs that somewhat resemble another family, the Assassin Bugs, which includes the problematic Kissing Bugs or Bloodsucking Conenose Bugs in the genus Triatoma that may spread Chagas Disease.  You were astute to recognize the resemblance since they are in the same order of insects, Hemiptera, which includes all True Bugs.  The Western Conifer Seed Bug is a benign species that is native to the Pacific Northwest, but since the 1970s its range has increased greatly to include much of the Northeast and Canada, and very recently, portions of Northern Europe.  We are going to tag this entry as Unnecessary Carnage, and in order to prevent any retaliations, we are not including your surname in our posting in order to allow you to maintain anonymity.  We are doing this because we have received threats in the past from folks whose letters were tagged as Unnecessary Carnage that accused us of libel and warned us they would take legal action against us with frivolous lawsuits.  We do not blame you for your first reaction, and we understand your fear of a perceived threat.   We hope in the future you will recognize that Western Conifer Seed Bugs, which often seek shelter indoors as the weather cools, are benign, and then promptly relocate them rather than squashing them.  A matchbox burial would be sweet, but we think it is unnecessary.  We would happily restore your surname to the posting if you give us permission.

Is this an assasin bug?
December 28, 2009
Hi, I love your site. While visiting a relative in Naples, Florida, I photographed this bug near a beach. I think it’s an assasin bug, but I can’t find a matching image. It flew away when I got close. Any ideas?
Sammy
Southern Florida

Giant Milkweed Bug

Hi Sammy,
Though it resembles an Assassin Bug, this is actually a Leaf Footed Bug in the family Coreidae known as the Giant Milkweed Bug, Sephina gundlachi.  According to BugGuide, it is found in Florida, and has not been reported from other states.

a very menacing looking bug turned up in my front room apartment. my letter explains all.
December 5, 2009
hello sir’s
on saturday 5th december i was removing the throw-over from an armchair in my front room (which is carpeted, and i own a indoor cat, and live at the top of a three story apartment – i might add, if it helps) i moved the chair out of my way and noticed an odd bug which may have been hiding/residing under the chair? it wasn’t mobile moving (i accidently broke one of its legs moving the chair (i’m sorry). any way, it was still alive. having rescued it, i placed it on an envelope to inspect it. i’ve never seen one of these before so i took some snaps of it, however after searching for this unique scary looking specimen in my ‘bugs and insects’ book i’m still not aware of the species.
the closest ‘relation’ looking insects i could find that looked even remotely like the one i found were either a ‘house’ or ‘field cricket’, a ‘water boatman backswimmer’ or a ‘forest bug’? but, what i don’t know is if insects, say, like black ants are easily distinguishable from red ants because of color, size and the like, being the same genus etc…….
i still think this particular species is not any of what i read up on. although similar looking. this one is very distinctive compared to the researched ones i read about.
my girlfriend had been traveling around eastern europe for the summer and, may of unknowingly smuggled it back england in her traveling bags?
if you guys know what species it belongs to could you please enlighten me with your knowledge.
i’m not a worry-guts but the insect does look rather menacing, and as i’m ignorant to what family it belongs and where it came i’ll house it in a glass jar. in case you need further photography.
i hope it’s not poisonous or, being female, laid a nest in my flat.
last thing, my girlfriend returned back to england around mid june,
so if it did manage to find its way into our front room it would be
highly unlikely that it managed to survive five months or so.
please help.
yours faithfully
mr jake bennett
My home, Leiston, Suffolk UK

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Dear Mr. Jake Bennett,
This is a Leaf Footed Bug in the family Coreidae.  We are nearly certain it is Leptoglossus occidentalis, the Western Conifer Seed Bug that is native to the Northwest region of North America.  Beginning in the 1970s, there were reports coming from eastern North America, and it is believe that an accidental introduction led to a range expansion.  In the 1990s reports of the species spread to the northern portions of Europe became more frequent.  There is a flickr page with reports from the UK.  Your girlfriend may have transported this specimen from the northern parts of Eastern Europe, or the species may already be naturalized in your area.  The Western Conifer Seed Bug often seeks shelter indoors as the weather cools, reemerging in the spring to lay eggs.  The species is considered harmless, though its increased range expansion may have as yet unknown effects on the species diversity within its adopted habitat.

Thank-you ever so much for replying to me on your website Sir, and the quickness of replying by e-mail too !!!
It’s very interesting and helpful. So thank you very much.
My questioning/story to you about my new best friend LFB was, totally something new for me.
Finding a devilishly looking critter (that I’ve never seen or know of in my life), in my own
lounge threw me a bit.
I would’ve spent hours, (more like days), hunting down genuine knowledge on the insect with-out your
rapid response.
I am really rather glad I came across him, being ignorant (totally) about insect genus’, I’ve found a new
interest, which is a great result.
I’ve moved him to a square plastic container as he couldn’t stick on the glass and resulted falling on his back
constantly and him being crippled at the moment I had to check him every half hour or so.
I’ve been trying to find – what I can feed him? to make him more comfitable whilst his back left leg mends
(if it ever will).
Saying that, he looks on the mend and is moving about -mostly on all other legs, while trying self physiotherapy!
One thing I have learnt though is, as much as they like fruit crops sugars etc.. never to
give them honey. He liked it so much that he covered himself with what he didn’t eat and kept falling on his
back and getting stuck.
Although | managed very gently to remove the honey from him I need to keep a close eye (just in case
I missed some).
Any who, he has lots of ivy plant shoots with him so if he gets stuck upside down again he can grab a bit
and pull himself back upright.
Mr Marlos, and my LFB have made my weekend.
I hope you have a good weekend also,
All the best.
Jason.
PS. I’ll let you know how he progresses if you’d like. Plus any tips from you would be great.
Q. Is there one particular fruit/food the Coreidae enjoy? preferably ‘non-sticky.
I’ve looked around the net
and all I found literally was multiple ways of exterminating them!!!!! which is for me a No-No.