File:Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) - Kitchener, Ontario 02.jpg From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository Jump to navigation Jump to search A very large and spectacular squashbug which has characteristic expansions on the hind tibiae and a white zigzag mark across the centre of the forewings. This orange and black pattern on the abdominal dorsum is revealed during flight. book page.) Leptoglossus occidentalis is a relatively serious pest of conifer seed nurseries, particularly Douglas-fir, in southern Canada and the USA. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Thomasburg Walks That Bug Is A Western Conifer Seed Bug. Originally found only in the western United States, these bugs are now found all across the country, and even in parts of Canada. (Connelly and Schowalter 1991). This bug can be plentiful near and around tree farms and nurseries. Interestingly, the western conifer seed bug ( Leptoglossus occidentalis ), is, according to this site (which refers to the bug as the pine seed bug), often misidentified as an assassin bug or a stink bug. Western Conifer Seed Bugs. Family: Coreidae. Description The western conifer seed bug belongs to the family Coreidae, commonly called leaf-footed bugs, and like many members of this family, it has a flattened, leaf-like expansion on the hind legs. Found this guy out and about one day at the park. They have long, thin antennae and hind legs that are flattened (leaf-like). The western conifer seed bug’s consumption of Douglas-fir seeds and seeds of various other species of pine results in a substantial loss of seed crop. Gapon DA, 2015. The species can be told from the others by the white zig-zag across the back. It is fairly large, measuring about ¾ inch long, and is reddish brown with a few white markings. Western Conifer Seed Bug is Leptoglossus occidentalis, of the family Coreidae. This bug has been expanding its range north. Adults come outside from Want some peace of mind that the insect you’ve seen is a western conifer seed bug and not a kissing bug? The flight pattern and loud buzz produced by this strong flying conifer pest resemble those of a bumble bee. A western conifer seed bug, a type of leaf-footed bug, is a common insect in Canada. Pine seed bugs are related to assassin bugs but are quite different in appearance and habits. Today, its range extends across the … When hu The western conifer seed bug ( Leptoglossus occidentalis ), sometimes abbreviated as WCSB, is a species of true bug (Hemiptera) in the family Coreidae. The western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, is a serious pest of conifer seed production (Koerber 1963), particularly on Pinus spp. West Conifer Seed Bug. These bugs are a western species, and have been expanding their range to include the North Eastern portions of the United States. Western conifer seed bug. They cause damage to leaves and flowers, but especially damage developing cones and seeds. The western conifer-seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis), a plant-eating insect, has been documented to have bitten a human, though researchers consider the bite to have been a chance occurrence and not the result of the insect targeting the human. Pine Seed Bugs (Western Conifer Bugs) Pine seed bugs also known as ‘stink bugs’ become active on the first warm days in March and continue into May. Adults are 3∕4 of an inch long, elongate, reddish to dull brown with a faint, white zigzag straight line across the center of the wings. (Heteroptera, Coreidae) from Russia and Ukraine, regularities in its distribution and possibilities of its range expansion in the Palaearctic Region. There are a couple other species from the genus Leptoglossus that have been recorded here in Ontario, but the Western Conifer Seed Bug is the most frequently encountered. They will gather on the sunny sides of the house. But the fastest way to identify the western conifer seed bug is to look at the lower hind leg. Western Conifer Seed Bugs frequently enter homes … Western conifer seed bugs plague a big part of the continent of North America. In the winter months, it will Seek the warmth of structures to overwinter in. The insect is actually the western conifer seed bug — known to science as Leptoglossus occidentalis — and its sudden and prolific appearance around area homes and other constructions has a … It was first detected in Chile during 2017. Western conifer seed bugs belong to the leaf-footed bug family Coreiidae. Search from Western Conifer Seed Bug stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. The upper (dorsal) side of the abdomen is yellow or light orange with five transverse black patches. Residents of Massachusetts may see this large, brown—yet harmless—home invader come fall. The western conifer seed bug has a body length of 3/4 of an inch with a brownish top. An adult western conifer seed bug is about 15 to 20 mm long. The western conifer seed bug is a type of Heteroptera or true bug. Unlike ALB, which is a non-native and serious pest of hardwood trees, the Western conifer seed bug is only considered a minor pest of the coniferous trees it attacks (pine, Douglas fir and hemlock). A species of 'true bug' that is found almost everywhere in the world. The adult is about 3/4 inch (16- 20 mm) in length and is dull brownish. As a result, encounters with these harmless insects occur on a regular basis. It has several color variations along its body, ranging from light tan, to orange, and dark brown. It’s appeared like the leg … Native to the Pacific Northwest, they are now found on the eastern portion of North America as well, and they have been introduced to Northern Europe very recently. Ėntomologicheskoe Obozrenie. It is a common Ontario household invader in fall, winter and spring seasons. Adults are 3 ∕ 4 of an inch long, elongate, reddish to dull brown with a faint, white zigzag straight line across the center of the wings. Western Conifer Seed Bug Adult The young nymphs of L. occidentalis are orange, and they bec… Often confused with the stink bug due to a similar shape and the ability to release a bitter smell, the West Conifer Seed Bug is a tree bug that feeds on the sap of conifer trees (its preference) or other trees. 6747. A key identifying feature is a white zigzag like line across the mid wings and alternating dark and white patches on both sides of the abdomen. The adult is about 3/4 inch (16-20 mm) in length and is dull brownish. (Click the BUGS THAT LOVE! Western conifer seed bugs belong to the leaf-footed bug family Coreiidae. Western Conifer Seed Bug. 800.272.3661. Michigan and southwestern Ontario. The western conifer-seed bug ( Leptoglossus occidentalis, hereafter referred to as WCSB) is a coreid bug that feeds on conifers. Ottawa, Ontario. They can reduce the yield and quality of conifer seed by up to 80%. However, you will not find Kissing Bugs in New England and Stink Bugs are not as common to the region either. The Western Conifer Seed Bug has a body length of about 3/4”. The protrusion of the hind legs appearing like Popeye’s forearms, are indeed leaf shaped and thin like a leaf. They have long, thin antennae and hind legs that are flattened (leaf-like). The western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis), also called the pine seed bug, is a commonly found insect which is often seen invading homes in large numbers during certain periods of spring, fall, and winter. (Photo credit: … With an appearance that looks like a strange hybrid between a locust and a beetle, western conifer seed bugs are often dark or reddish-brown in colour. Dear Megan, The Western Conifer Seed Bug, a species that greatly expanded its range in the 1960s, probably by hitching rides with humans because of its hibernating habits. File Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus Occidentalis Guelph Ontario 2020 … Coreidae refers to “leaf-footed bugs.”. No external damage is visible on the cones. Save Image. They have been recorded from about 40 hosts, mostly pines, but also pistachio and almond. The Western Conifer Seed Bug is a type of leaf-footed bug that feeds on trees’ seeds, mostly pine. Canada Number 6747. This nuisance pest most closely resembles the squash bug found … Adults are 3/4 inch long and brownish on top. Since they are also found in Western Canada, I think they should consider dropping the “Western” and just calling them Conifer Seed Bugs. Western Conifer Seed Bugs ( Leptoglossus occidentalis) are in the family Hemiptera (true bugs). First records of the western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis Heid. The Western Conifer Seed Bug is a pest bug in the Pacific Northwest. Pine seed bug nymphs and adults spend the summer on pine and Douglas-fir trees where they use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on twig and green pinecone sap. A harmless, delicate, sensitive, loving, wonderful little bug, that you can also have as a fun pet! Its body can vary in colour from reddish-brown to greyish-brown with white markings. The species is native to western United States and has become invasive in the Eastern part of the U.S., several European and Asian countries, and most recently in South America. The Western Conifer Seed Bug also seeks the warmth of your home to bunker down in for the winter. These are insects that have been showing up in homes for more than 10 years. This true bug feeds mainly on the seeds and developing cones of several species of conifers and their respective hybrids. Click here for more detailed information. The seed bug often gets confused with similar looking insects such as kissing bugs, or stink bugs. Western conifer seed bugs produce a single generation every season. First described in California in 1910, the Western Conifer Seed Bug ( Leptoglossus occidentalis) quickly moved eastward. As described in an earlier post, western conifer seed bugs frequently try to sneak indoors in the fall to seek out a sheltered spot to spend the winter. There are checkers of black and white along the margins of the lower portion of the back. Western Conifer Seed Bug. Adults and nymphs feed on the endosperm of the seeds and induce a high incidence of conelet abortion. In the summer, the Western Conifer Seed Bug is normally found in cone-producing trees, such as Douglas firs and a variety of pine trees. Thought I'd make a little educational video on it. It is distinctive in appearance because it possesses leaf-like structures on its large back legs. Although harmless, these can become nuisance pests when they enter homes in search of shelter. During the summer, the insect is outdoors in these areas. During the fall adults, like other core ids, seek sheltered overwintering sites. Their wings’ sound while in flight resembles the buzzing noise of a wasp or a hornet, which can be unsettling and startling when one flies past your ear or lands on you. Welcome to the website for The Western Conifer Seed Bug! This looks like a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). The pine seed bug is native to the North American West Coast, and made its way eastward, arriving in Ontario in 1985. (See: Female Northern Walkingstick in Riverwood Park, Mississauga) And now I find that our Western Conifer Seed Bugs are found in New Brunswick, Québec and Ontario, which sounds more Eastern-Central to me! They are in the leaf footed bug family and are called western conifer seed… The pine seed bug, also called the western conifer seed bug, (Leptoglossus occidentalis) is a common household occasional invader found inside Ontario homes during the fall, winter and spring. File Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus Occidentalis Kitchener Ontario 01 Jpg Wikimedia Commons. The Western Conifer Seed Bug is native to the Pacific Northwest, but it greatly expanded its range in the 1960s, most likely because of its habit of hibernating in home when the weather cools, and then possibly stowing away in luggage … Dear Emily, Is the resemblance to Beyonce a reference to the shapely legs on this Western Conifer Seed Bug, one of the Big Legged Bugs in the family Coreidae? How to Identify Western Conifer Seed Bug – Pest Supply Canada They are commonly called Leaf-Footed Bugs from their flange-like hindlegs, they almost look like they are wearing bloomers. Western conifer seed bugs feed almost exclusively on the sap of conifers. Contact. There are some untruths that will be dispelled on this website. 91 (3), 559-568. In 1956, they were reported in Iowa and in 1990 several were found in New York State. Western conifer seed bugs are native to the west coast of the USA, but have been established on the east coast since the 1990s. Western Conifer Seed Bug. This individual was actually from my parents’ house last winter, but shows the white zig very well. They are often misidentified as assassin bugs or stink bugs. It’s often misidentified as a Stink Bug, Cockroach or as the biting “Kissing Bug” due to its vaguely similar appearance.