Species Leptoglossus phyllopus

Classification · Identification · Range · Food · Life Cycle · Internet References · Works Cited

Eastern Leaf-footed Bug - Leptoglossus phyllopus

Bug party on blooms of Yucca plant pic 01 - Leptoglossus phyllopus

Orange bugs on thistle - Leptoglossus phyllopus

Leaf-footed Bug Adult and Nymph - Acanthocephala - probably femorata - Leptoglossus phyllopus

Leaf Footed Bug - Leptoglossus phyllopus

Which Leaf-Foot? - Leptoglossus phyllopus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Coreidae (Leaffooted Bugs)

Genus Leptoglossus

Species phyllopus (Leptoglossus phyllopus)

Identification

The straight white or pale yellow bar crossing the back is distinctive to this species. In other Leptoglossus species it may be zig-zagging or broken into dots. In one species (L.ashmeadi) it is yellow-orange.

Range

Widespread through eastern and southern states, west to California.

Food

Nymphs and adults suck juices from a variety of plants. This bug is particularly noted as a pest on citrus, on which it causes premature fruit drop, but also known to damage many other crops and ornamental plants. Apparently most common on thistle in FL, and on Yucca in KS (1)

Life Cycle

Eggs are cylindrical and are laid end to end in a line, often along the midrib of a plant leaf. Bug molts several times with each successive nymph becoming more similar to the reproductive adult. Leaf-like projections on legs do not develop until later stages.

Internet References

University of Florida Featured Creatures

The Great Lakes Entomologist with a key to species of Leptoglossus

Works Cited

1.	Garden Insects of North America : The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs (Princeton Field Guides) By Whitney Cranshaw

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason
Last updated 26 July, 2008 - 9:27pm

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