Beetle - Help with ID please

[BeeBee]

I found this beetle clinging to the net curtain in my bedroom, next to the open quarterlight vent. The body and head is 20mm long excluding the antennae.

There is a very distinct shoulder (humped) behind the head and there are wings hidden inside the upper body.



Thanks

[tristanba]

The spectacular new arrival Leptoglossus occidentalis - a true bug rather than a beetle. Whereabouts are you in Kent as the record details would be much appreciated.

[BeeBee]

Originally Posted by tristanba

The spectacular new arrival Leptoglossus occidentalis - a true bug rather than a beetle. Whereabouts are you in Kent as the record details would be much appreciated.

Hello Tristan,

Many thanks for your fast response.
An internet search on Leptoglossus occidentalis flagged up your truly excellent website with some really fine pictures. I see that the common name is Western Conifer Seed Bug originally native to the warm-temperate coniferous regions of the USA, and is now apparently becoming invasive in Europe. I have a large number of conifers in my garden, so perhaps it is not the most welcome of arrivals?

For your records, I am located near Ashford in Kent.

[BeeBee]

Originally Posted by BeeBee

...so perhaps it is not the most welcome of arrivals?...

One further question:
Should this sighting be reported to the Forestry Commission or other agricultural authority?

Thanks

[animartco]

I think I saw one too, also indoors. It was much smaller though, too small for my camera. I thought at first it was a beetle but on closer inspection found it was a little shield type bug. As far as I can remember it looked the same as the picture. I only mentio it because I am seven miles from Ashord.

[tristanba]

Thanks very much - it is almost certainly established on the conifers in your garden although not a cause for concern unless you are in the business of growing conifers from seed. DEFRA (FERA) are no longer interested in reports of this species.

Animartco, this is a very large and impressive bug in excess of 2cm long, so what you saw is likely to be something else.