A Fabulous Bug on a Screen Door
Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
A Fabulous Bug on a Screen Door
This bug was sighted on a screen door at our home in San Martin Sur, Costa Rica–nearest larger town–Dominical, February, 2007. I love this bug and wonder if you can identify it for me.
Sincerely, Georgia Moen
San Martin Sur, Costa Rica

Flag Footed Bug

Hi Georgia,
While we are not certain of the species, we are thrilled to post your image of a Leaf Footed Bug in the family Coreidae from Costa Rica.  There is a species in Central America commonly called the Flag Footed Bug, Anisocelis flavolineata, that we identified in the past, but it is not the same as your specimen.  Interestingly, when we searched that scientific name, we found an image that matches your specimen, but it is on a photography site, not a science site.  We doubt it is the same species, but now we are a bit confused.  There is much questionable information posted online.

Blue, red and white bug, with orange and black legs Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 5:57 PM
We found this bug while doing some sightseeing in Oaxaca, Mexico. My friend noticed it first, I almost walked right into it! We just had to take a picture of it, though neither of us could tell what it was. The colors are just stunning, and you can see the patterns continue underneath the body too. We thought it almost looks like a beetle or stink bug, but we have no idea. Any help in figuring out what this bug is would be appreciated!
Sightseeing in Mexico
Oaxaca, Mexico

Giant Mesquite Bug from Oaxaca

Dear Sightseer,
This is either a Giant Mesquite Bug, Thasus acutangulus, or a closely related species. Your specimen is an immature nymph. Interestingly, we just posted an image of another nymph from Peru that reminds us of this species.

beetle
Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Hi Bugman! My 7 year old daughter saw this beetle(?) crawling on our wooden garage door, and we put it in a container to get a closer look. We’ve been hearing about invasive beetles, mainly japanese long-horned beetles, that have been doing extensive damage in Massachusetts. We looked up as much as we could online, and feel pretty confident that this is not a long-horn, but are curious if you can identify it. It’s quite beautiful! My daughter would like to bring it in to school to share, and as much info as you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
Marcy Lee
Lexington, Massachusetts

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi Marcy Lee,
This is not a beetle.  It is a True Bug in the order Hemiptera.  It is in the family Coreidae, the Leaf Footed Bugs.  It is a Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, a species native to the Pacific Northwest that has greatly expanded its geographic range in recent years.  They are frequently noticed at this time of year when they try to enter homes to hibernate over the winter.

Beetle-like bug
Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Hi Bugman!
I live in Northeast Illinois near the Wisconsin border, and I’ve noticed a “new” bug hanging aroung on my house, my deck, and some plants. I’ve never seen a bug like this, and I’m hoping you can tell me what it is. It has hair on it’s legs and around it’s head, and I’m pretty sure this bug can fly.
Thanks!
Tracy Spidyweber
Midwest

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi Tracy Spidyweber,
This is a Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis.  Perhaps the reason it is a new species for you is that in the past decade, its range has greatly expanded from the Pacific Northwest.  This range expansion may be partially explained by climate changes, but human mobility and the ease of accidentally transporting unknown passengers is doubtless a contributing factor.

Western Conifer Seed Bug I think
Hi Dan and Lisa,
Joanne from near Chicago, again. Could you confirm this is a Western Conifer Seed Bug? I didn’t get too close ‘cuz honestly, it was looking at me and freaking me out. I saw it near Oswego, Illinois. Thanks, and I’ve linked you an my Facebook page, too!
Joanne
Near Oswego, Illinois

Western Conifer Seed Bug

Hi Joanne,
Your identification of the Western Conifer Seed Bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, is correct.  According to BugGuide’s data, the species has spread from the Pacific Northwest to fully half of the continental U.S.  Also known as the Pine Seed Bug, the Western Conifer Seed Bug is in the family Coreidae, the Big Legged Bugs or Leaf Footed Bugs, so named because of their unusually shaped hind legs.