Leaf-Footed+Bug

=Leaf-footed Bugs=

Leaf-footed bugs(Coreidea)
Fig 1. A leaf-footed bug perching on a flower.

Taxonomy

 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Arthropoda
 * Class: Insecta
 * Order: Hemiptera
 * Suborder: Heteroptera
 * Superfamily: Coreoidea
 * Family: Coreidae

Description
Leaf-footed bugs are known for their large size among other true bugs and their tibial section which resembles a leaf like structure attached to it (1). Leaf-footed bugs belong to the Order of Hemiptera and to the Family of Coreidae. The coloration in mature Coreidae consists of a dark brown background which contains a whitish to yellowish stripe across the center of the back. One of the more defining characteristics of this bug are the modified mouthparts. All hemipterans contain a sucking-piercing mouthpart known as a rostrum. The adults range in size from 5/8 to 3/4 inches in length. The body appears to be V-shaped in cross section (1). The bugs can also be characterized by strong odors that they give off when disturbed.

Fig 2. A leaf-footed bug in nymph stage standing on a tomato plant.

Life-Cycle
The eggs that Coreidae lay have a golden brown color and are known to be laid in a single row along a stem or leaf (2). The nymphs resemble ants and the leaf-like tibial section is absent until they reach maturity along with adult coloration. The nymphs usually take about 25-30 days to mature and are known to be found in masses on certain fruits where eggs were laid (1).

Habitat and Food Sources, Damage
Leaf-footed bugs are a well known pest for fruits and vegetables. It has been reported as a major pest in citrus grooves because its feeding on ripening fruit causes premature color break and drop (3). These insects will migrate in in mass to immature crops or fruit and cause significant damage. They are also known for forming into large colonies and going to one site all together (1).

Wiki page created by Rachman, C.

Sites of Interest
[|Texas A&M Entomology]

Photos
Figure 1. Photo from a "Growing with Science Blog." []

Figure 2. //Leptoglossus phyllopus,// (Hemiptera: Coreidae), nymph on tomato plant. Photo by Jackman. https://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg65.html