Saturday, July 18, 2009

Leaf-footed Bug

This bug belongs to the family of leaf-footed bugs, so called because of the leaf-like projections on their hind legs. I believe this individual is a Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). This is a western species that is spreading its range and has been found along the east coast from the Carolinas as far north as New Brunswick.

According to the BugGuide account, Western Conifer Seed Bugs normally feed on the sap of coniferous trees, especially from the cones and seed pulp. This bug, however, was hanging out at a bird feeder.