More records of Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus occidentalis in Worcestershire

Harry Green

Since John Holder’s record on 4th December 2011 (Holder 2011) there have been occasional further records including the following two.

Jean Young wrote “We came across this lovely specimen of a Western Conifer Seed bug in our bedroom curtains at Besford Court Estate on the morning of 23 October 2013. The window was open overnight so presumably it had come in looking for a cosy place to overwinter. We have several conifers on the estate. We have not seen any others since our 'indoors' sighting”. Besford Court Estate Grid Reference SO 9148 4533. (01, 02, 03)

And John Cox wrote “I attach a photo of, I think, a Western Conifer Seed Bug found on our landing carpet on the evening of 30 December 2014 Sadly it was lacking one hind leg”. Kidderminster SO 845756. (04)

It is worth looking out for this large bug. Its origin is explained in the Editor’s Note added to John Holder’s original note and is copied below.

Editor’s note

The British Bugs website http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Coreidae/leptoglossus_occidentalis.html states “Native to the USA and introduced into Europe in 1999, it has since spread rapidly and during 2008-2010 influxes of immigrants were reported from the coast of southern England, with a wide scatter of records inland. The bug feeds on pines and is likely to become established here; nymphs have been found at several locations. It is attracted to light and may enter buildings in search of hibernation sites in the autumn”. http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Coreidae/Leptoglossus_occidentalis.pdf a fact sheet from Forest Research gives more information.

Reference

Holder, J. 2011. Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus occidentalis in Droitwich. Worcestershire Record 31:21.

Images

01. Western Conifer Seed Bug 23 October 2013. Jean Young.

02. Western Conifer Seed Bug 23 October 2013. Jean Young.

03. Western Conifer Seed Bug 23 October 2013. Jean Young.

04. Western Conifer seed bug Kidderminster 30 December 2014. John Cox.