Species Leptoglossus occidentalis - Western Conifer Seed Bug

Pine Seed Bug

Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann 1910

15-20 mm

Dull reddish-brown with faint (or absent) white zigzag stripe across hemelytra; antennae may be almost as long as body. Outer hind tibial dilation nearly equal in length to inner dilation.

Native to w. NA, spreading eastward since the 1950s(1), now common throughout ne. US and so. ON(2) (reached so. NB)

Coniferous trees; adults may wander indoors late in the season looking for shelter to spend the winter

Nymphs and adults on conifers in spring and summer; adults often seen around homes during fall/winter

sap from green cones, twigs, seed pulp, and sometimes needles of Pinaceae (pines, hemlock, spruce, Douglas-fir)

One generation per year. In spring the bugs move to conifers and feed on the developing seeds and early flowers. Females lay rows of eggs on host needles; eggs hatch in ~10 days and nymphs begin to feed on tender cone scales and sometimes the needles; 5 nymphal instars; adults appear by late August and feed on ripening seed.(3)

Generally does not bite/sting, but has been recorded (see references)

Not known to infect people or pets, damage property, or even reproduce indoors(4)

Gives off a pungent odor as defense if molested

in L. corculus, outer metatibial dilation distinctly longer than inner one, and posterior margin of genital capsule has median roundly V-shaped notch (subrectangular in L. occidentalis)

Fact sheets: Klass (1995-2012)(3) | anon. (2005)(4) | Jacobs (2002-2013)[cite:612026] |