|
|
Leaf Footed Bug - Euthochtha galeator
Insect Order: Hemiptera / Family: Coreidae
Leaf footed bugs take their common name from the leaf-like appearance of
the femora and related structures.
Live adults, both male and female, egg cases and first and late-stage nymphs
photographed near Chicago, IL USA.
|
|
Our insect pictures are free for noncommercial use. Please select a
thumbnail for larger image. |
|
|
|
Figure 1-3. Egg cases and newly hatched nymphs clearly showing dilated third
antenna segment, indicative of galeator species. Size: 3-4mm
|
 |
Figures 3-4. Late-stage nymph
Early instar nymphs tend to be purplish or reddish brown with orange
heads. Older nymphs are variable but tend to be orange to yellowish
brown, with the head mottled. All five instars are characterized by
spines, mottling, and a dilated 3rd antennal segment. This is the
only coreid nymph in eastern U.S. having the 3rd antennal segment
(only) dilated. Spotting this characteristic in the field can be
tricky - the enlargement of the segment is flattened, and can
only be seen from certain angles.
|
Life Cycle: Like all Hemiptera, leaf-footed bugs go through a simple
metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages. Females of most
species lay eggs during warm months. The eggs are often stuck to
leaves or branches, or hidden under bark, depending on the species.
After hatching, the wingless nymphs molt several times before
becoming full-sized, winged adults. The adults will often mate and
reproduce numerous times during the growing season.
Like stink bugs, leaf-footed bugs are
able to exude foul-smelling, foul-tasting fluids from pores on the
sides of their bodies. These secretions help to protect leaf-footed
bugs from predators. Nevertheless, leaf-footed bugs are often eaten
by birds, spiders, assassin bugs, and other predators.
Adults: Length 13 to 17 mm; width 5 to 7.5 mm. Color dull brown,
membrane darker; connexivum spotted in some, nearly concolorous in
other specimens. Pronotum with anterior part of lateral margins
finely and irregularly toothed. Humeri prominent but not spined.
Hind femora swollen, especially in males, and with spines
underneath, tubercles above.
I love these bugs - they are stately and seemingly placid, but they
can explode into flight at the drop of a hat, and they can
accelerate so quickly you won't see where they went. I've also seen
them bumbling along, flashing their bright orange abdomen. Someday I
hope to capture a picture of them flying, but that will be sheer
luck, as if almost always the case with any flying insect. |
|
 |
Figures 5-6. Adult male showing characteristic spur
Males have a white or cream colored spur or flap on the posterodorsal
corner of the side of the thorax (metepimeron) next to the abdomen.
This feature is readily apparent in the field. No other known insect
in eastern U.S. has such a projection. The females lack this flap
but do have a whitish callus in the metapleural area.
|
|
|
|
 |
Please select thumbnail for larger image |
 |
Figure 7. Female feeding on bird droppings
The prominent white spur is absent on this female specimen,
although a white callus appears. Click on picture for 1024 X 768 image.
|
|
|
|
|
