Leptoglossus occidentalis Insect Sap-Suckling Leaf-Footed Seed Bug Hemiptera Rhynchota Heteroptera Coreidae

Leptoglossus occidentalis cm 1.6-2 Insect Sap-Suckling Leaf-Footed Seed Bug Hemiptera Rhynchota Heteroptera Coreidae.
Family: Coreidae.
Common name: The Western Conifer Seed Bug (WCSB).
Syn. Narnia anaticula.

The bug of the pines is a pest insect of Coreidae family (Hemiptera Heteroptera).
It is native to the western United States (California, Oregon and Nevada) where it finds its natural habitat, coniferous forests, the species was imported in Italy, probably with the import of timber.
Its presence in less wealthy areas of conifers is not surprising because the insect also lives in pistachio expenses.
The female is larger than the male.
It lays its eggs in small groups along the pine needles (Pinus pinea) which then hatch in late spring. After making five changes becomes an adult. In each stage of metamorphosis it is nourished with the sap penetrating cones with stilettos mugs, causing the death of seeds and, consequently, enormous damage to forest ecosystems.
In the United States it completes a generation a year, but in Mexico they were counted even three. In Italy he makes one or two.
If pressed, this bug has a strong flavor of banana.