Leptoglossus? - Leptoglossus corculus

Maybe...

Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
http://bugguide.net/node/view/16030/bgimage

The colors change depending on the lighting, but the patterns are the same.

Definately not an Eastern Leaf-footed Bug - Leptoglossus phyllopus, but if you want some photographs I have about 2 dozen feeding on the yucca plant in my yard, painful but neat.

… Jim Kramer, 5 October, 2005 - 3:23pm

Hmm

Does it occur as far south as NC? The ones in the guide are mainly in the NE, and the NCSU Insect Collection has 25 pinned specimens, but none are from NC. They do however list L. corculus as occuring in NC, and I found a photo here, as well as this one. Thoughts?

… volcano, 5 October, 2005 - 3:43pm

I've just been looking at the Leptoglossus key

from The Great Lakes Entomologist, and I agree this is very probably L. corculus. The outer hind tibial dilation distinctly longer than the inner hind tibial dilation is what they use to distinguish it from L. occidentalis. I've been wondering why we didn't have any images of this species in the guide yet - it should be fairly common. I made a guide page, in case anyone agrees we can move this to it.

… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 13 June, 2006 - 4:39pm

Looks good

Do you have a guide delineating the differences?

… Jim Kramer, 5 October, 2005 - 3:52pm

I have a key.

I have a key at home, and some day will go through the questionable Leptoglossus. This is not likely L. occidentalis, though, based on the flaring of the leg flanges. In L. occidentalis they are considerably less pronounced.

… Eric R. Eaton, 5 October, 2005 - 5:39pm

Curious

Do these have the purportedly dangerous bite of the related assassin bugs, or a similar effect on humans? My home is being invaded by loads of these.

… Nathan Hepworth, 6 October, 2005 - 10:44am