The Western Leaf-footed Bug goes crazy for some of the healthiest and most popular nuts on the market.
Despite its name, the Western Leaf-footed Bug has a reach that covers more than half of the continent. The bright zigzag stripe across its 'waist' looks like a belt, making it a great feature for identification. A small spine at the front of the head is also distinctive. The hind legs are longer than the front pairs and have small spines on them. The lower part of each back leg has a flat and wafer-like tibia with a small light mark on one side. The area above and below this leaf-like expansion is yellow. Black and yellow bands border both sides of the abdomen. This species can produce a detectable odor in defense of a threat or attack.
Western Leaf-footed Bugs are herbivores, feeding on the buds and nuts of various shrubs and trees. Pistachio and almond trees are popular food sources, making this insect a pest in orchards. They are also fond of trees and shrubs in the Juniper family and can sometimes have a population explosion in areas where many of them grow. They are also called Juniper Bugs.
Look for Western Leaf-footed Bugs in woodlands and orchards. They may be found in large numbers on a single bush or tree. In the cold winter months, adults seek shelter under insulating leaf litter. Two to four generations can be produced each year.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Hemiptera
Family:Coreidae
Genus:Leptoglossus
Species:clypealis
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Leptoglossus clypealis
Other Name(s): Juniper Bug
Category:
True Bug
Size (Adult; Length): 15mm to 18mm (0.59in to 0.70in)
Colors: brown, white, yellow, red
Descriptors: zigzag, stripe, flat thighs, pointy shoulders, spine head
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Colors: brown, white, yellow, red
