Real question at the end. I've been watching this little guy crawl around from plant to plant on the same section of shelf for about a month now. I started to put him out when I first found him, but it was really chilly, and I worried that he hadn't made preparations yet, because who knows how long he's been living here! 😆 I'm feeling disgusted and compassionate at the same time. I've found myself watching him, putting a little extra water in the saucer for him, and wondering if he's got enough to eat. Unfortunately, I suspect he does. I found possible indications of thrips on a few of my plants so I need to spray and treat with systemic, but I've been holding off because of this little dude. Real question. If I put him outside in the shrubs, will he adjust to the cold, do you think? We're expecting some warmer temps in a few weeks, but I really need to treat like last week.
by Sufficient_Turn_9209
20 Comments
I think that’s a Western Conifer Seed Bug, and they damage plants by sucking sap. You’re harming your plants by having that thing on them. Also, you’re worried that a bug can’t adapt to outside temperatures? Is this a troll post?
That is a leaf-footed bug probably that has been sucking and snacking on your plants! If you’re somewhere that is already really cold, it might not make it, or it might just go dormant… maybe find some leaf litter near some plants you don’t care a lot about. Then get to treating for thrips asap!
Leaf footed bug possibly, they eat plants. There’s a few other bugs that have this shape and look that are predators, but would need closer pictures.
Don’t worry, he’ll adjust to the cold! It would actually be better for him to go out, as it’ll shorten his lifespan to not go dormant and come spring he may not have the energy to mate.
I would put him out in some leaf litter or by a wood pile. The plants in our homes aren’t nutritious enough as well, they can sustain themselves but these guys really need conifer seeds to eat, especially if he’s female and plans on laying eggs next year.
Seed bugs and other hemipterans like boxelder bugs and stink bugs are really charming, harmless house guests, but they definitely are best as guests and not residents!
Oh no your pet is gonna eat your plant pets ðŸ˜ðŸ˜±
Nope! Smash it now, not a friend! These destroy vegetable gardens.
Its an adult leaf footed bug. They lay eggs and hatch in the spring so if you are releasing it, next year, whoever has an outdoor garden will not be thanking you.
I’m all for catch and release but not with these bugs.
Keen an eye out for eggs. They are normally in a line. Coppery Pearlescent cylindrical tubes. They are actually very beautifulÂ
Welcome to your new stink bug infestation…. Because that’s what they do.
That pet will make hundreds of friends if you let her. But she *is* awfully cute.
When you see your first leaf-footed bug you think they’re neat, then you see their little orange babies, which are kind of cute. Next thing you know they’re mating, feeding, and birthing all over your fruits making an absolute mess. Then all novelty goes out the window and you start to smash them and realize right away that they are related to stink bugs…I swear leaf footed bugs are the most foul-smelling insects when alarmed…anyway, don’t coddle these things or you will regret it.
I just wanted to say, I can tell you have a really big heart due to this post. I’d relocate the little guy.
We have similar bugs here but with shorter legs. They fart when distressed and it smells horrid
I get these bugs in my apartment from time to time and I never knew what they were so I’ve also learned a lot from this post! I relocate them and worry about them too 😅
Idk how many people on here know specifically about these guys but another good place would be a facebook group about these guys! I mean I keep spiders so I’m in spider groups 😂 All Bugs Go To Kevin I think is another group you could post in!
Thats what I said about this guy…
https://preview.redd.it/xjjnhui48vyf1.jpeg?width=2316&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b7c084eab420e404639bd875533d7cd5f609b98
I have the cutest little wolf spider under one of my pots… I accidentally disturbed and found her while cleaning around my plants and was delighted when I was able to put her back where I’d found her. Darn they’re awfully quick lol
I have names spiders who live in my shower, but stink bugs make my skin crawl. Where there’s one, there are 600 more.
Uhg those leaf footed dudes absolutely destroyed my pomegranate tree. They’ve been a problem around the region in general. For pomegranates specifically. Idk where else they like to lay their eggs.
Aww haha I find stink bugs on my plants sometimes 🤣 they go straight outside though, they are freaky when they fly around! And ofc they can stink.
Unrelated, though he is quite cute, but what is the first plant with the pink? I love it! 💖