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.
