Size
Up to 1 1/2”
Color
Light to dark brown
Description
The Leaf-footed Bug can be identified by its leaf shaped back legs. Its body is flat with a white or yellowish band across its back. Female Leaf-footed Bugs lay eggs under places like plant leaves and tree bark, where their young can begin feeding after hatching. Nymphs look like adults but are pale, becoming darker after each molt.
Leaf-footed Bug feed on a variety of plants, fruits, and vegetables and can devastate crops in large numbers. Smaller numbers can cause significant damage to home gardens, landscaping, or patio plants. A few species of Leaf-footed Bugs are predatory, hunting small insects like grasshoppers and caterpillars.
In the fall Leaf-footed Bugs will search for warm places to overwinter, including homes. They can gather in large numbers in walls, attics, and crawl spaces, emerging in spring when temperatures rise.
Control Advice
Seal spaces around doorways, windows, foundations, utility wires, pipes, and dryer vents. Use tight fitting screens for open windows.
Active Seasons
The Leaf-footed Bug is most active in spring and summer.