Stinky Bug
Whenever the outside temperatures start warming up, we will get many flies and ladybugs around the house. Living in the woods for the past three years has introduced me to a new resident living with me over the winter months. I had always called this a “stink bug” because whenever someone accidentally steps on one or grab it quickly the bug will produce an unpleasant odor. It has only been recently that I started to investigate the proper identification of this insect. I am proud to introduce you to my new room mate Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis).
The Western Conifer Seed Bug was originally located in the Western part of North America and has made its way over to the east coast more recently (1990 in Western New York). They feed on maturing conifer cones through out the summer and in the fall they will find a location to spend their winter (in a dry location). Many of these shelters would include areas like my house where they will go into a torpor state until the spring thaw. They will then adventure back into the wild and spend the rest of the summer living in the trees.
For more info on the Western Conifer Seed Bug, head over to the Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station who has some wonderful information on this clever bug.
Ok, I have a funny story to tell! While at Cape Cod my mother had been taken care of my kitties for me (thanks mom). When I returned she asked if “I had any pet bugs that might have gotten out”? My response was, “No, Mom Why”? Answer: “Because I found this ugly long legged bug in your bathroom and quickly washed it down the sink”. I am more than sure this Western Conifer Seed Bug was the same species that she had encountered. Last evening I found this guy (the one in these two photos) on my pillow in my bedroom. Instead of sending them down my drains, I took a few pictures and it went for a quick ride outside.
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
You are a riot! LOL! You take a photo of the stink bug while all comfy on your pillow then through him out. I saw one of these hanging on my screen door over the weekend. Now I know more about them. And every time I see one, I’ll think of you. (Just joking)
28 March 2007 at 10:03 pm
I love the patterns on the seed bug.
I didn’t used to be all that interested in insects, years ago, but my older son has been fascinated with them for a long time (and may go into entomology) – so I’ve gradually learned to appreciate and enjoy them.
Any insects we find in the house are always brought outside now.
28 March 2007 at 10:15 pm
Now I’m wondering if they are in my house! Yuck! I won’t be as happy as you are about it.
(Mariah laid her second egg!)
28 March 2007 at 11:26 pm
Haha I love nature as much as anyone, but I think if I saw one of these guys on my pillow I would freak-out!
Great info though, I’ve always seen these “stink bugs” around but never thought to learn more about them. Interesting stuff..
29 March 2007 at 9:15 am
I would NOT want to think about that thing on my pillow! I’ve seen stink bugs around here but now I’ll think of them as “Mon@rch’s stink bugs”!!!
29 March 2007 at 9:42 am
Your photos are better than mine. But I didn’t want to get too close! Thanks for the info! I feel a bit better knowing they aren’t “assassin bugs” LOL 🙂
29 March 2007 at 6:55 pm
I’m going to be more motivated to look for insects now that I’ve been looking at your blog.
29 March 2007 at 7:31 pm
@ Mary – Well, I try!! LOL The power of the Internet to have an insect in memory of you because it thought a cool place was on my pillow! LOL!
@ M Light – so glad that your son has interest in insects and that you are supporting it! Bravo!
@ Barb – 2nd egg! yahooo!! Do you have pines around your house??
@ Luis – I don’t mind them but when they land on in the middle of the night I might get a little mad! They are harmless (might stink a little).
@ Lynne – Another bug named after me! But these are not as pretty as the Monarch Butterfly!
@ Brenda – I understand not wanting them around! Glad we figured out what you had!
@ Larry – get out there and look! Insects are fun!
THANKS EVERYONE for all your kind comments!
29 March 2007 at 8:50 pm
Too funny since I had one that greeted me one night a few weeks ago while climbing into bed. I won’t touch it like you do, though. I grab the kill jar and throw it outside. Blech!
30 March 2007 at 6:24 am
LOL, this is the species you had! LOL remember you telling me about it.
30 March 2007 at 9:11 am
Yes, I have pine trees in the backyard, 20 or 30 yards from the house.
30 March 2007 at 9:45 pm
I found out what this is now! I have them in my apartment and sorry to say I killed it…
Yeesh but it scared me LOL! Next one I find that gets into my third floor apartment I’ll just help it outside.
13 November 2007 at 2:32 pm
I’ve had 3 in my house this past week. I’m the screaming type and wow has my house been loud this week. I don’t want to kill them but dang they are ugly! and apparently they jump and have sticky feet so they stick on you when you try to trap them. ewwwwww..
19 October 2009 at 4:10 pm
hi I found a bug that looks like a western conifer bug but the butt end is so dark brown looks almost black and I live in ottawa ontario canada is it common in my area ????
30 November 2009 at 10:06 am
I’m so glad to see that I’m not the only one charmed by these little guys! I have lost count of how many we have relocated outside during warm weather. During the Winter months, if we find them lumbering about, they are moved to our indoor plants. I’m still not sure what I find so “cool” about them…but it’s a shame how many get unceremoniously squashed when mistakingly thought to be stinkbugs.
23 May 2011 at 4:52 pm