Alien Bug

[wyevilla]

Western Colorado Seed Bug



This insect was caught in a science lab at Weymouth College a couple of weeks ago and the photo was taken by the colleague who identified it. I believe this stink bug is a notifiable pest in the States.

The reason for this post is to alert members to the fact that this insect has been found in this country. The Forestry Commission have been informed. It could well be a one off but at the moment it is a mystery how this insect arrived in Weymouth.

[Paul mabbott]

Thanks. Yes, there are increasing numbers of exotic insects coming to these shores. In part these are southern European ones moving in as the climate changes. Others, like yours, are probably transported on food or other materials.
No relation, of course, but I hear that the Colorado beetle is spreading through Europe in our direction!

Originally Posted by wyevilla

Western Colorado Seed Bug
This insect was caught in a science lab at Weymouth College a couple of weeks ago and the photo was taken by the colleague who identified it. I believe this stink bug is a notifiable pest in the States.

The reason for this post is to alert members to the fact that this insect has been found in this country. The Forestry Commission have been informed. It could well be a one off but at the moment it is a mystery how this insect arrived in Weymouth.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by wyevilla

Western Colorado Seed Bug



This insect was caught in a science lab at Weymouth College a couple of weeks ago and the photo was taken by the colleague who identified it. I believe this stink bug is a notifiable pest in the States.

The reason for this post is to alert members to the fact that this insect has been found in this country. The Forestry Commission have been informed. It could well be a one off but at the moment it is a mystery how this insect arrived in Weymouth.

Interesting- I hadn't heard of this bug before, but as Paul says all sorts of insects come in with various cargos. When I googled it, they seem to call it Western Conifer Seed Bug, which apparently invades peoples homes in Colorado for winter time + is partial to seeds of conifers, particularly pines, but not exclusively resricted to conifers.

I remember there are quite a few exotic pines near Radipole Lake in Weymouth- time will tell if your bug is a one off or whether there are more around. A smart loooking bug as some of the pest species are!

[wyevilla]

The Bug referred to in this old thread was the Western Conifer Seed Bug Leptoglossus occidentalis. My mistake!

It is clearly becoming commoner as my son found one flying in his bedroom last night. Does any one know their current status, please?

[Acutipuerilis]

The current status is almost certainly established in a few places, after arriving in numbers last year. This year there have abeen many more sightings along the south coast (site of the main natural invasion), but also a bit of a focus in East Anglia, which didn't have any that we heard of before. They seem to be concentrated around areas with extensive coniferous woods (Thetford etc), which makes perfect sense; they're probably thriving there aleready.

It's a pest of conifers in that they feed on the unripe seeds - bad news for pine nut plantations! They don't seem to struggle with the sorts of winters that we have, and many of them go into buildings anyway. In other words, it's practically certain to become quite familiar over the next few years...

[wyevilla]

Last night I took the bug outside to photograph - and it flew off!

With the wings raised there were a couple of yellow flashes visible on the abdomen. As it took off it produced a loud whirring sound flying very strongly up to the level of the roof. It then whizzed about flying backwards and forwards until it finally disappeared. Flight reminiscent of a cockchafer or similar.

No wonder it has managed to cross the Channel!