Western Conifer Seed Bug - Leptoglossus occidentalis

Description

Length ~20 mm. A very large and spectacular squashbug which has characteristic expansions on the hind tibiae and a white zig-zag mark across the centre of the forewings.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Preferring areas with Pine trees.

When to see it

Adult: All year.

Life History

The bug feeds on Pines and seems very likely to become established here; nymphs have so far been found at one location. It is attracted to light and may enter buildings in search of hibernation sites in the autumn.

UK Status

Native to the USA and introduced into Europe in 1999, this species has since spread rapidly and during the autumn of 2008 and 2009 influxes of immigrants were reported from the coast of southern England, with a wide scatter of records inland.

VC55 Status

Increasing in frequency in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Coreidae
Records on NatureSpot:
44
First record:
02/10/2010 (Watson, Ashley)
Last record:
08/03/2024 (Ellison, Lorraine)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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