Oct 12, 2025
Eastern Leaf-footed Bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus), teneral adult, taken September 29, 2025, in Georgia, US
A vivid pink leaf-footed bug sticking out of the dead grass! This individual was the first of its group to molt into adult form, being surrounded by brown nymphs on all sides. It is sitting on the grass and spreading its legs out in an attempt to dry off a quickly as possible so that it won't stick out so much. The soft exoskeleton of this insect is extremely colorful, offering no camouflage from either birds or other insects, so this guy is at its most vulnerable freshly molted. Luckily, it's surrounded by its younger siblings which will greatly increase its odds of survival!
