November 19, 2009
Small Red Insects hatching from some type of egg line on a stucco post of my house. I’ve seen these same insects on plants in my yard. What are they? Thanks,
Howard Williams
Houston, Texas USA

Leaf Footed Bug Hatchlings

Dear Howard,
These are Leaf Footed Bug Hatchlings in the family Coreidae, but we are uncertain of the species.  They are also known as  Big Legged Bugs because many species have large hind legs.  Most Leaf Footed Bugs are plant feeders.  There is a photo posted to BugGuide, also from Texas,  that looks very close to your specimens.  The eggs are barely visible in the upper portion of your photo.

Is this assassin bug?
November 10, 2009
This was on our Ann Arbor, Michigan porch on Nov 9th during a warm spell.
My husband thought it might be an assassin bug. I thought it looked fascinating. Haven’t seen anything like it before.
Janet
Ann Arbor Michigan

Leaf Footed Bug

Hi Janet,
Your visitor is a Leaf Footed Bug or Big Legged Bug in the genus Acanthocephala, most probably Acanthocephala terminalis, probably the northernmost ranging member of the genus.  You may compare your insect to some images on BugGuide.  The light orange terminal segment of the antennae is a distinguishing feature.

Leaf Footed Bug

Please help ID this insect
October 20, 2009
Monday morning in our Fine Art Gallery I opened up at 8:30 Am and found this brown and tan friend walking across the oriental rug in gallery 3. I moved him outside and he flew away. Tuesday morning comes around and there it is again walking across the same rug.
JB
Connecticut

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi JB,
At this time of year we receive scores of reports of Western Conifer Seed Bugs entering homes to escape the cold.  We are amused that your individual is an art appreciator.  Western Conifer Seed Bugs are harmless.

Is it a beetle? They’re all over!
October 11, 2009
I live in Ocean Twp, Monmouth County, New Jersey. These bugs showed up in September and are so abundant that you can’t walk outside without one flying into you. They are on my screens, in the pine trees, hiding in the mandevilla and skip laurel, walking on the patio, and of course… in my house (from the screen door that my 7 year old forgets to close). I’m concerned that they are going to destroy my recently landscaped yard, but I don’t know what they are or if they are harmful to vegetation. Even my landscaper isn’t familiar with them. As you can see, they have a pretty pattern on their body… browns, black and white. They fly and are in all different sizes in my yard.
I’ve searched the internet to no avail to figure out that they are. Any help would be much appreciated.
Michele in Wayside
Ocean, Monmouth County, NJ

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi Michele,
Each autumn, we get numerous letters requesting that we identify the Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis.  This species often enters homes to hibernate.  It is a species native to the Pacific Northwest, but since the 1970s, there have been an increasing number of reports from Eastern North America, and the species has spread significantly, expanding its range for the past four decades.

What is this bug found lounging on tomato
September 30, 2009
What is this bug? Beneficial or harmful? The “mother” is present on two of the attached photos.
Lori
Los Angeles

Immature Leaf Footed Bugs

Hi Lori,
We are thrilled that your photo illustrates a multi-generational grouping of Leaf Footed Bugs in the genus Leptoglossus.  There are no adults in your photos.  Rather, these represent at least three different instars, the term used for a metamorphosis stage.  After each molt, the nymph grows and changes.  It is not until the reproductive adult stage is reached that the insect will grow wings that are fully functional.  We believe they are probably Leptoglossus zonatus which may be viewed on BugGuide.  We often find this species on our own tomatoes in our Mount Washington, Los Angeles garden, and on pomegranates growing in Elyria Canyon Park.  Here is the information posted to BugGuide on this sucking insect:  “Identification  Two yellowish spots on the forward part of the pronotum are distinctive. Also has a zigzagging white band across the wings (like some other species). Expansions of the hind tibiae are also much larger and more jagged than most other species.  Range  Primarily a southwestern species (including CA, AZ, TX) but now also spreading into southeastern states. First LA report 1990s. First FL report 2005.  Food  Feeds on flowers and fruits of many plants, including many crops such as citrus, tomatoes, and various members of the squash family.  Remarks  Considered a pest not only for the feeding damage on various crops but also as a transmitter of plant pathogens.“

Hi Daniel,
Yes, that’s them! Thank you for the quick reply and identification.  I’m the only one I know that actually thinks they’re adorable.  I’m always fascinated by the critters that decide that my backyard is a hospitable place to take residence.   While they are considered pests, they have become members of the family the past week, so I’ll let them stay.  Unless you advise otherwise.
Question, if there are no adults, is that NOT the mother that’s been brooding over the kids?   OR is it possible that immature leaf-footed bugs can reproduce?
Regards,
Lori

Hi Lori,
Earlier today, we posted an adult of the species found in Long Beach.  The immature nymphs cannot reproduce.  The behavior that you have labeled brooding is simply an aggregating tendency found in many True Bugs.  Since tomato plants only last one season, any pathogens spread to the plant would not affect next year’s crop of tomatoes.  We often let Tomato Hornworms and Katydids feed off of our plants. We also do not disturb the Leaf Footed Bugs as they are never plentiful. We do mercilessly remove aphids, and the new African Painted Stink Bugs from our plants, and we try to keep our citrus clear of Citrus Leaf Miners.