Leaf-footed bug

Natural Habitat

Found in forests, woodlands, gardens, and agricultural areas, often among trees and shrubs.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily herbivorous, feeding on plant sap from a variety of trees and shrubs, including oaks, pines, and other deciduous trees. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract fluids from stems and fruit.

Behavior Patterns

Leaf-footed bugs are generally active during the day. They are known for their distinctive flattened, leaf-like expansions on their hind legs. They may fly when disturbed or in search of new feeding sites. Overwinter as adults, often seeking shelter in protected places, including sometimes indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a minor pest in some agricultural settings, as their feeding can damage fruits and nuts. However, they are not typically considered a significant agricultural threat. They do not pose a direct risk to humans (e.g., no venomous bite). In terms of benefits, they are part of the food chain, serving as prey for birds and other insectivores, and their presence contributes to biodiversity in their ecosystems.

Identified on: 9/22/2025