Western conifer seed bug - expect to see them this fall.

 Left:  Western conifer seed bug on the siding of my house in Kelowna. Right:  Box elder bug.

The western conifer seed bug is a member of the leaf-footed bugs. Leaf-footed bugs can be identified by the widened tibia seen on their hind legs.  It is common to find them around your home in the fall as they will gather by the hundreds looking for a warm place to overwinter.  Another insect that you may find with a similar MO is the box elder bug.  

Western conifer seed bugs are mild pests to Douglas fir trees, although they may also feed on other conifers such as pine, hemlock, and spruce.  They do not eat cedars.  The bugs are specifically interested in the young cones and their developing seeds, although they will also feed on the needles and flowers of conifer trees.  

I commonly find both species of insects at home.  They start to arrive in the fall.  It is not uncommon to find several of them each day scampering about the building and yard.  Sometimes I find them in the winter when I move something that has been stationary for a while.  They may be in diapause, which is a cold-induced stupor that doesn't kill the insect but renders it completely inactive.  If they can find a warmer place, they may still be mildly active.

Both bug species can release a foul, strong-smelling odour that is bitter-tasting if they are killed or roughly disturbed.  Neither one is poisonous or likely to bite you.

In the spring, they will leave their winter home and search for suitable plants to feed on and ultimately lay their eggs.  

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Harjit Bahia - Science teacher and colleague from Garibaldi died August 2, 2024

Image
You will be missed Mr. Bahia.  You made a difference and we are sad you are gone. I keep in loose contact with my fellow retired teachers from Garibaldi Secondary School.  I talked with my long-time friend, Mike Lynch, today, and discovered that Hargit died over the summer.  Unbeknownst to him, he had an underlying heart condition and passed away after working out on his treadmill.  The date was August 2, 2024. I was shocked to hear this.  He was only 49 years old, turning 50 some 3 months later.  It was a shock to everyone, for he was loved by all who knew him.  As a teacher, Mr. Bahia was kind and fun.  He contributed to students in many ways and was always available to help those in need.   For myself, I knew him as a fellow science teacher and taught in the adjoining room to him.  He was always available to help, share ideas, and work together.  Easy to approach, I found that I could talk to him about anything and appreciat...
Read more

The hard workers aboard the Ruby Princess

Image
A worker cleaning the Grand Hall at 3:00 in the morning I salute the hard working men and women of the cruise line industry.  They come from all over the world, each one looking to find work, possibly a career, and to help both themselves and their families have better lives.  It isn't easy, and many have to work long hours and are isolated from the passengers and passenger-areas aboard the ships.  They don't partake of the luxuries experienced by the guests and have a limited amount of free time.  But most of them wouldn't trade it for any other job they have ever had. I was photographing the Grand Hall aboard the Ruby Princess early in the morning before the place was crowded with guests.  While there, I met a gentleman cleaning floors and took some shots of him, asking permission first.  I also got quite a few photos of the hall itself without people; I used my 14-30 mm ultra-wide angle lens on a full-frame camera to get the three-story plaza in my viewf...
Read more

My longsuffering search for the Western Meadowlark

Image
Am I going to disturb a species I am photographing enough to negatively affect its relationship with the ecosystem?  This is an important ethical question that needs to be asked when looking to photograph a particular species.  And it's one that I don't think we do nearly often enough. I recognize the desire to capture remarkable images; I have been in search of premium photos the bulk of my adult life.  There is the personal connection - just the joy associated with doing something well and the praise we seek when others recognize it.  There is the professional connection - doing something as part of a job, assignment, or class.  Then there is the financial connection - the hope to win a contest, publish an image, or sell prints.   These are all worthy goals in their own right, but none of them should be the reason behind disturbing a species, especially ones that are endangered or are at a critical period in their life cycle.  Essentially it boi...
Read more