No, this is not some weird, pixilated version of fall foliage. It’s actually a great shot of a window screen with, of all things, one of those pesky fall invaders that are just looking to make a nice home inside your home.
This is the Western Conifer Seed Bug, a leaf footed bug (see how its back two feet have what look to be sort of protuberances on them? They are designed to mimic leaves).
This bug is an invasive species in my part of the world but other than finding its way into homes, it doesn’t seem to do a lot of damage where I live–it’s not like the Emerald Ash Borer or the Asian Longhorned Beetle both of which actually kill trees.
And once they’re inside, they seem to be fairly dumb and slow for a bug. This is one of the ones I always catch and throw outside for the birds. Then again, I’ve never stopped to ask what bugs think of us?
At least they aren’t stinkbugs. 😉 (which aren’t a HUGE problem here but they say that global warming is likely to bring all sorts of insectile delights our way eventually!)
True but interestingly enough, they are a relative. I haven’t had much occasion to kill one but when I did once, thankfully I thought that the scent was something like the smell of fresh cut grass–so while they may be a stink bug relative, there really isn’t that much “smell” resemblance, thank goodness!
Try not to think about all the insect horrors coming our way. Just think of our expanding plant zones!
Karla