Conifer Seed Bug - Leptoglossus occidentalis

Looking at old favorites to revisit, I haven’t given the Western Conifer Seed Bug the large photography showcase that it deserves. Today is the start of that with a closer look at the nymph, and this specimen will return again by the end of the year with pictures of full grown adults as they navigate the wilderness. So, to the nymph! Like other Hemipterans/True Bugs, the Conifer Seed Bug nymph resembles the adult as it molts from instar to instar, growing larger with each molt. Based on comparisons to other L. occidentalis nymph images, I believe the individual here was a nymph in its 4th instar due to its size and proportions (5th is possible, but may be a stretch). The 4th instar means that this individual is two molts away from reaching full adulthood. I’m leaning more towards 4th instar as the images I’ve seen of the 5th instar tend to show the insects with colors and patterns closer to the adult (on the head and thorax), but it’s possible that this young one was freshly molted. Though small, the similarities are apparent between the young nymph and the adult specimen found just a week later. This nymph has the beginnings of the enlarged rear legs and the leaf-like shape near the foot. 

This nymph here also has faint red eyes and banded striping along its legs and antennae that matches the patterning on the adult specimen. With comparisons between Pictures 1-9 and Picture 10, it may seem like a quantum leap to adulthood (especially in terms of size), but believe me it sneaks up on them quickly! Moreover, consider this: the eggs of the Conifer Seed Bug are so small that they can be laid on a pine needle. In fact, that how it usually goes as the main food resource of this insect is found on (and in) pine trees. Both nymphs and adults feed on the juice of a conifer tree’s green cones and the sap within using their rostrum to pierce and sip. Picture 5 offers a glimpse at this mouthpart when unfolded, but I doubt this individual would have much use for it with the plant it’s walking on. As to why this youngling isn’t in the pines above, my thought is that it fell on accident or dropped to escape something. With only wing buds it’ll be a big climb back up, but with a smell for pine in the antennae it could find its way back up among the pine cones and needles. That’s just for the summer to autumn over here, as when winter arrives, they overwinter outside or enter houses to seek warmth. If you find one, remember to catch it (rather than crush it, avoid the chemical defense) and put it outside.

Pictures of nymph were taken on August 11, 2019 with a Samsung Galaxy S7; Picture of adult was taken on August 19, 2019 with a Samsung Galaxy S4. A special thanks to my mother for loaning me her phone while mine was charging so that I could share these photos with you.

do you have a favorite beetle? my backyard gets this type alot (idk what theyre called) and they hang out with me and seem really friendly! the one in the picture hung out with me for hours!

I THINK that’s a type of shield bug/stink bug potentially? Or a conifer seed bug it’s sorta hard to tell from that angle. I’d say my favourites are probably stags and rhino beetles! But I also have a super soft spot for Green June beetles (Cotinis nitida) because I saw them a lot growing up!

shed hangout

@hedgewitchnecromancer submitted: Found this beautiful guy recently in central Maine and wanted to share!

A perfect fella. 10/10. It is a western conifer seed bug, which is a type of leaf-footed bug :)

Some more western conifer seed bug photos, they were a photogenic little fella :]

So, not a spider, but I thought you might appreciate the lil guy that's been hanging out in my window for a few weeks

How they got in there, I have no clue, but they seem to be vibin-

Ragh! I totally forgot to respond to this! I know it's old ToT

I love this fella! Such a cute lil guy! Appears to likely be some kind of Western Conifer Seed Bug! very silly, very cute!

I am always happy to receive bug pics ^^

every autumn these guys start showing up at my house and every time i cheer and clap seeing them bc they are so cute to me. im their biggest fan.

western conifer seed bug stimboard

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Splendid little creature standing on a table (Leptoglossus occidentalis)

Vroubenka americká - leptoglossus occidentalis

Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) !

there was a bug in here that i've never seen before but i found out what it was with inaturalist and also found out that it was probably a female looking for a warm place to live until spring so i felt really bad putting her outside 😢

@emo-mothman submitted: No id needed, but I thought you'd appreciate this lovely western conifer seed bug found on my recycling bin. They know the blue brings out their colors.

I do appreciate them! Brown bugs are often super pretty up close :)

Western Conifer Seed Bug

I found this little guy almost drowning in my cats’ water dish, luckily I was just in time, scooped them out and they were alright. 

Leptoglossus occidentalis

Western conifer seed bug

Chinche americana del pino

23 of November 2022 — Maryland, USA

The western conifer seed bug uses its proboscis to stab the cones of conifer trees and feed on their sap, which affects the development of the seeds (hence its name). It’s native to North America, but after an accidental introduction to Europe through timber importations in the last twenty years, it has become invasive there.

This species has a beautiful black and yellow abdomen, I just couldn’t get a picture of it because that would involve lifting its wings and I didn’t want to bother it, as that might make it release a smelly defense.