Damage to common plumbing materials caused by overwintering Leptoglossus occidental is (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

摘要

The western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalls Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae), is a polyphagous pest of coniferous trees (Hedlin et al. 1981). Native to western North America, the seed bug has expanded its range to include eastern Canada andthe United States (McPherson et al. 1990; Gall 1992; Marshall 1992; Ridge-O'Connor 2001; Bates 2002) and was recently introduced into Europe (Taylor et al. 2001). Both adults and nymphs feed by inserting their stylets into cones and digesting the contents of developing seeds, and they can cause serious economic losses in high-value seed orchards (Strong et al. 2001; Bates et al. 2002; Bates and Borden 2005). In late summer and early fall, L. occidentalis adults seek sheltered locations in which to aggregate and overwinter, including tree cavities, animal nests, and man-made structures (Hussey 1953; Koerber 1963; Gall 1992; Blatt 1994). Aggregations appear to be mediated by a male-produced pheromone (Blatt and Borden 1996) and may contain a few to over 2000 individuals (Blatt 1994). Seed bugs overwintering in houses and other buildings have been previously regarded as nuisance pests only.