100 Species #29: Western Conifer Seed Bug.

[urbpan]

This WCSB (Leptoglossus occidentalis) was warming itself on our doorstep. I picked it up and it flew away.

The western conifer seed bug is a relatively new addition to the fauna of New England, new enough that its spring and fall appearance causes some confusion and alarm. The "what's that bug" websites suddenly flare up with questions about this relatively large alarming-looking insect that gets into houses, flies like a wasp, and produces a funny smell. It resembles an assassin bug, a distant cousin that can bite painfully, but is actually in the "leaf-footed bug" group. Some people call them "stink bugs" because of their defensive odor (a not-too-offensive pine/sour fruit smell, in my opinion).

The WCSB was 365 urban species #13, and I repost the entry every now and again when I start seeing lots of questions about them.

Comments

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

i was quite startled to see wooly bears - need to read about their life cycle to know why i saw these things a couple weeks ago. they hibernate? or hatch fresh? it was full sized too.

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[urbpan.livejournal.com]

They hibernate: http://urbpan.livejournal.com/390116.html

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

They hibernate: http://urbpan.livejournal.com/390116.html

[bosoxmom.livejournal.com]

it has such a nice Art Deco design. Is it a good bug or a not so good bug?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Seems to be pretty neutral: Doesn't bite, doesn't destroy property, eats conifer seeds but no indication that it's a major pest.