I recently moved to a house (timber frame) in a wooded area. In the beginning of the autumn I mainly encountered these animals around the house. Now I find several in the house every day. They are about 2 cm in size. What species is this? Are they harmful to the home?
Answer
Dear Ann,
this is a bug, and more specifically the North American leaf bug Leptoglossus occidentalis (family Coreidae, fringe bugs). This bug takes its name from the shape of the hind legs, the top of the lower leg resembles a leaf.
In fact, this is an exotic, originating from America, but already well established here. The first finding of this bug on European territory was in northern Italy in 1999. The first find with us took place in 2007. Like all other bugs, the bug has stinging/sucking mouthparts and feeds on, among other things, the seeds of pine trees that are drained.
This bug is harmless to humans; it has been causing nuisance in the autumn for several years because it invades homes in search of a wintering place; in some cases they band together for this purpose. These bugs are not harmful to the house. The bug does not sting humans, nor does it transmit diseases; if she becomes agitated she may excrete a foul-smelling substance. In the spring, with the first rays of the sun, these bugs emerge from their hiding places (cracks, behind skirting boards, etc.).
In Portugal and Spain, where this exotic has been established longer than here, there are major problems with the production of pine nuts.
Kind regards,
Hans
Answered by
Hans Castels
identification of insect pests in agriculture and horticulture, stock goods and homes
Burg. van Gansberghelaan 96 box 1 9820 Merelbeke
http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be
.