The Western Conifer Seed Bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae) Has the Potential to Bite Humans

Oxford

2017

1073–1075

Sonderdruck

12774S

40002087

Among true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera), only hematophagous species (families Reduviidae, Cimicidae) have high veterinary and medical significance. In addition, several predatory and plant-feeding bug species, which also have piercing–sucking mouthparts, are known to occasionally bite humans. The majority of such examples are known from the New World. Here, we report the first case concerning the human-biting potential of the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae). This is a phytophagous bug species, which has become widespread in North America, and has also been introduced into Europe where it shows a rapidly expanding geographical range.Keywords: phytophagous bug, piercing–sucking mouthpart, skin lesion