[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Order: Hemiptera
Family: Coreidae<\/p>\n
The western conifer-seed bug is a common household nuisance in the fall and winter. These insects are harmless but can produce an unpleasant pine-like odor when disturbed. Adults are 19 mm (3\/4 inch) in length and have red or dark brown bodies with white or yellow stripes on the abdominal margins. A notable feature of the western conifer-seed bug is the large hind legs. In addition, the second segment of the hind legs (tibia) are often leaf shaped. Their wings are dark brown and form a diamond shape at the end of the abdomen. The western conifer-seed bug has eyes on either side of the head, and the head extends from the insect\u2019s body in a long, pointed protrusion. When in flight, they produce a loud buzzing sound and the rest of the abdomen is visible, which ranges from yellow to orange in color, often with black markings. This behavior along with the abdominal coloration is believed to mimic bees as an anti-predation strategy. Nymphs are smaller than adults, do not fly, and are black with a yellow or orange abdomen.<\/p>\n
Other insects that are commonly mistaken for the western conifer-seed bug include squash bugs (Anasa tristis<\/em>), assassin bugs (Family Reduviidae), and the western blood-sucking conenose (Triatoma protracta<\/em>). Squash bugs<\/a> are common in gardens of Colorado but do not commonly enter homes. Unlike the western conifer-seed bug, assassin bugs do not have broad hind legs and are predators<\/a> that can bite. The western bloodsucking conenose<\/a> is much larger than the western conifer-seed bug and is uncommon in households.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/06\/Adult-western-conifer-seed-bug.jpg” alt=”Adult western conifer seed bug” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult western conifer-seed bug. Note the eyes on either side of the pointed head, large hind legs, and white stripes on the abdominal margins. Image credit: Dawn Dailey O\u2019Brien, Cornell University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/06\/Immature-western-conifer-seed-bug.jpg” alt=”Immature western conifer seed bug” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Immature western conifer-seed bug. Note the black bodies and orange abdomens. Image credit: Sandy Kegley, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org <\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The western conifer-seed bug has three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Western conifer-seed bugs overwinter as adults. Adults seek overwintering shelter in September through November when they enter homes, garages, or sheds.<\/p>\n In late May, females lay small groups of eggs on needles and leaves of pines, Douglas-fir, and other conifers. They spend summer as nymphs, developing through five instars while feeding on seeds of pines and Douglas-fir before maturing into adults at the end of summer. Adults continue feeding until temperatures drop in the fall. One generation is produced each year.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”CSU Extension Fact Sheet” url=”https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/insects\/conifer-seed-bugs-5-588\/” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font_size=”36px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Download or view the CSU Extension’s PDF fact sheet for your reference.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Jacobs, S. 2023.<\/strong> Western Conifer Seed Bug. Penn State Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/western-conifer-seed-bug<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":33348,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"ipm_pest_categories":[111],"integrated_pest_management_":[],"pest":[],"class_list":["post-33350","ipm-pests","type-ipm-pests","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","ipm_pest_categories-household-insects"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n
Utah State University. (n.d.).<\/strong> Western Conifer Seed Bug. Utah State University \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/pests\/schoolipm\/structural-pest-id-guide\/western-conifer-seed-bug<\/a>
Western Conifer-Seed Bug. (n.d.).<\/strong> Cornell \u2013 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Available https:\/\/cals.cornell.edu\/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management\/outreach-education\/whats-bugging-you\/western-conifer-seed-bug#:~:text=Western%20conifer%20seed%20bugs%20are%20often%20confused%20with%20brown%20marmorated,but%20are%20longer%20and%20narrower.&text=Adult%20females%20lay%20chains%20of,%2F10\u201d%20on%20conifer%20needles.&text=The%20nymphs%20(immature%20bugs)%20go,gradually%20darkening%20to%20reddish%20brown<\/a><\/p>\n