Leaf-footed Stink Bug

Description:

This may even be a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis. The western conifer seed bug is sometimes called "the leaf-footed bug", but actual leaf-footed bugs are an entire group of species in Leptoglossus and related genera of the Coreidae. An example would be the Florida leaf-footed bug, L. phyllopus. The average length is 16-20 millimeters, with males being smaller than females. They are able to fly, making a buzzing noise when airborne. Western conifer seed bugs are somewhat similar in appearance to the wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) and other Reduviidae (assassin bugs). These, being Cimicomorpha, are not very closely related to leaf-footed bugs as Heteroptera go; though both have a proboscis, but only the assassin bugs bite even if unprovoked, and L. occidentalis like its closest relatives can be most easily recognized by the expanded hindleg tibiae and by the alternating light and dark bands which run along the outer wing edges on the flaring sides of the abdomen. Their primary defense is to spray a bitter, offending smell, though sometimes they can smell pleasantly of apples or pine sap; however, if handled roughly they will stab with their proboscis, though they are hardly able to cause injury to humans as it is adapted only to suck plant sap and not, as in the assassin bugs, to inject poison.

Habitat:

It was originally native to the warm-temperate western USA (California, Oregon and Nevada) but has in recent times expanded its range and become an invasive species in parts of Europe.

Notes:

Leaf footed bugs are pests throughout North America. They suck plant juices and can be harmful to vegetable gardens and flowers. Relatives to the similar Stink Bugs, they tend to live in colonies with members in several stages of development present.