#conifer seed bug

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Conifer Seed Bug - Leptoglossus occidentalis

Well, how about that? It appears that Stink Bugs weren't the only variety of robust insect to recently become active as the warmer weather returns to Toronto. And yet, it's inside the home that these insects were found, rather than the sunny outdoors. Such is sometimes the case with an insect like this one as throughout my life, I've found many insects who have lost their way and stumbled into my room. Conifer Seed Bugs are very much included in those findings and they have always made their presence known time and time again with their noisy flight and the occasional release of a green apple-scented odors. While startling in the moment, when the shock of finding a notable and interesting-looking Bug passes, it's good to know (in this instance) that the insect you've stumbled onto is a harmless vegetarian and tends to not jab using its rostrum unless absolutely certain of a threat. For ascertaining such threats, and also navigating an urban environment, Conifer Seed Bugs will make use of their relatively large eyes, secondary ocelli, and their long 4-segmented antennae. From my own interactions, Conifer Seed Bugs tend to hide away if they sense danger, or turn themselves around an object in order to avoid direct visual from a perceived threat. Other bedroom visitors looking to avoid the outside cold, such as the Masked Hunter, can be more predaceous or defensive and can thusly be more inclined to bite within a bedroom.

The similar body shape and overall proportions have anecdotally led the aforementioned hunter to be confused with the Conifer Seed Bug if the encounter was very brief. Looking at them more closely, a Masked Hunter is all-black Assassin Bug (Reduviidae) with uniform legs, whiplike antennae and a curved rostrum, while the Conifer Bug is a mottled Leaf-Footed Bug (Coreidae) has a mottled appearance with thickened hindlegs with a notable, leaf-like projection near the termination of that leg on the tibia. With regards to that projection, always take note of the shape and size of that structure when you observe it on any insect. That one observation can make all the difference when identifying Leaf-Footed Bugs which are similar in appearance. At least among the Coreidae members which actually have those protrusions; the family is quite diverse in terms of form and appearance, and some of them have rather skinny hindlegs. They will, however, tend to have a narrow head, and today's specimen certainly showcases that. I would've loved to share more angles of this Bug's head and overall form, but interior lighting conditions were not suitable for photography and the moment this individual made it to the rim of the glass (which it was caught and transported in), it flashed its bright yellow abdomen and flew away in the direction of a pine tree. And so, its springtime objectives begin/resume.

Picture were taken on April 23, 2026 with a Google Pixel 8a.

[ikkovett]

Gorgeous little man I found on the dogwoods yesterday

[bugtheories]

Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)

[bugtistic]

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!

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

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.

[horsebeast]

shed hangout

[glendagoosegoof]

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Conifer Seed Bug - Leptoglossus occidentalis

I’ve gotten another member of the family on board with sharing pictures on the blog. My cousin from Vancouver, British Columbia sent me this picture from his front porch, where a certain long-legged creature was trying to make its way into his house. This insect is a familiar find in Toronto too and can apparently be found as far as Nova Scotia! Since adult Conifer Seed Bugs emerge to feed in the summer, as the seasons shift and the weather becomes gradually colder, they have a habit of entering people’s houses. They like to stay warm and active, so a house is the perfect vacation spot. In Toronto, I actually see them in my room every so often, or rather I hear them first; their flight sounds almost like a buzzing with a mild rattle. Very fear-inducing at night, especially if you don’t know what’s in your room, and also considering Masked Hunters also frequent my room as well! 

Though they look similar to a Masked Hunter in term of body structure, remember that while those are Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae), the Western Conifer Seed Bug is a Leaf-Footed Bug (Coridae), meaning that the latter isn’t likely to bite with malicious intent (and it has no dissolving saliva to inject). More likely it’ll release a pungent, almost sickly green apple Lysol smelling odor to defend itself. If you do find some in your house, don’t worry, they aren’t likely to lay eggs indoors as they prefer their young to have an immediate food source upon hatching; pine needles are much preferred. Better to return them outside where they belong, and where they can enjoy pine tree sap and cones. Be careful when handling them and transporting them outside; their legs are long and/or slender and can be easy to damage if they struggle or you handle them too roughly. Be gentle with insects; it’s a huge world for them. 

Note: While perhaps startling to see one for the first time, to know the difference between Assassin Bugs and Leaf-Footed Bugs, look at the back legs. Leaf-Footed Bugs have wide back legs, some even ornamented with spikes or leaf-like design (well, most of them anyway). Assassin Bugs have more uniform legs and a pronounced neck behind their head. If you know what insect your dealing with, interacting with it becomes much easier and safer.

Picture was taken on November 14, 2018 in Vancouver with a One Plus