Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Hemiptera (Hemipterans) ➔ Family Coreidae (Squashbugs or leaf-footed bugs )
Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910
Amerikanische Kiefernwanze Western Conifer Seed Bug
Synonyms and other combinations:
Narnia anaticula Brailovsky & Barrera, 2013 | Theognis occidentalis (Heidemann, 1910) |
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-20 16:06:07
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-20 16:06:42
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-20 16:05:02
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-20 16:05:11
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-20 15:59:42
bottom view
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-11-04 12:41:21
bottom view
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2020-09-30 12:11:44
DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz
2020-10-22 15:15:39
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-11-04 12:43:13
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-22 13:57:24
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-22 13:58:22
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2018-09-22 13:58:10
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2021-04-11 15:59:33
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2023-01-25 14:22:17
larva (L4)
DE, Chemnitz, Harthwald
2023-07-26 12:03:16
larva (L5)
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2021-09-06 12:57:18
larva (L5)
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2021-09-05 10:54:45
larva (L5)
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2021-09-05 17:01:31
larva (L5)
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2021-09-05 17:01:25
larva (L5)
DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
2021-09-05 17:02:05
Classification:
Leptoglossus occidentalis belongs to the subfamily Coreinae, tribe Anisoscelini.Distribution:
The Western Conifer Seed Bug, originally native to the west of North America, was introduced into Europe. First detected in northern Italy in 1999, it has spread rapidly since then. The species was first detected in Germany in 2006.Habitat:
Mostly on conifers in forests, parks and gardens, often in settlement areas.Description:
Leptoglossus occidentalis is a 16 - 20 mm long, predominantly reddish brown bug with a fine white zigzag pattern in the middle of the wings. This can be unclear or missing. The lateral edges of the abdomen (connexivum) are brown and white spotted. The tibiae of the hind legs are leaf-shaped widened.The species is unmistakable in Europe.
Biology:
The Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus occidentalis usually forms one generation per year in Germany. In warmer areas several generations can be passed through (in Southern Europe 2).Host plants of Leptoglossus occidentalis are conifers, preferably different species of pines (Pinus) and Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii), but also fir (Abies), spruce (Picea), cedar (Cedrus) and juniper (Juniperus).
In the spring, after hibernation and mating, the females lay eggs in rows along needles of the host plants. After about 10 - 14 days the larvae hatch. The young larvae suck on the needles, flowers and young cones. Later they feed on the seeds in the cones. They go through 5 larval stages until they moult to the imago. Imagines of this species were found in Rhineland-Palatinate from July to November. They feed mainly on the seeds of their host plants. The adults of Leptoglossus occidentalis are good flyers, which are often found in the settlement area in search of suitable wintering places.
By sucking the bugs can reduce the yield and quality of coniferous seeds. In warmer areas, the species also occasionally appears as a pest in pistachio and citrus plantations.
Note:
2018 I found Leptoglossus occidentalis for the first time in Chemnitz (surprisingly 5 specimens on different days and places in the urban area). Probably the warm and dry summer contributed to their rapid reproduction and propagation. In January 2023 a specimen visited my balcony on the 4th floor.References, further reading, links:
- CoreoideaSF Team (2019). SF Coreoidea: Coreoidea Species File (version 5.0, Jun 2018). In: Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 2019 Annual Checklist (Roskov Y., Ower G., Orrell T., Nicolson D., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., DeWalt R.E., Decock W., Nieukerken E. van, Zarucchi J., Penev L., eds.). Digital resource at www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2019. Species 2000: Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands. ISSN 2405-884X.
- Matthias Kitt, Gerd Reder, Alissa Schick: Ein Überblick zur Biologie und Ausbreitung der Amerikanischen Kiefern- oder Zapfenwanze Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Heteroptera: Coreidae) und erste Daten zur Verbreitung in Rheinland-Pfalz, POLLICHIA Kurier, Jahrgang 31, Heft 1, Jan.-März 2015.