Picture is a bit small, but if the real bug is red & black, I would say it is a box elder bug - harmless, and they often come into people's houses in the late fall. Tucker.

better photo?

{{!gwi}}

Not a box elder bug, but a garden-variety plant bug, I don't know if the rear legs are expanded enough to make it a "leaf-footed bug".

I agree with Larry Gene - can't tell the species, but really a nice-looking patten, don't you think? Tucker.

We have leaf-footed bugs in Michigan that suck the sap from pine trees. If you smash them they smell so strongly of pine they make you want to gag.

cheap filling for Christmas sachets?

We call them stink bugs here in Pa.

The above photo is of a plant bug. "Stink" bugs are broader and shield-shaped. It is possible either one would smell bad if smashed.

I'm not sure if I should respond to this post - but - here goes. This bug looks like a Cone-nosed Bloodsucker, Triatoma sanguisuga. I haven't researched this insect so what I'm telling you is what I grew up with, sounds like folklore but is supposed to be true - you should do some research to verify it. Was it discovered in your bed? They do suck blood from humans. It is very interesting that they do so differently than most bloodsuckers. They will create a small sore and revisit the same spot every night. As far as I know they are harmless although they do create a small sore. WS

Googled -

Here is a link that might be useful: Cone-nose

The plant bug pictured above and wslesan's blood-sucker have similarities, but are not the same species, and not in the same family of insects.

T. sanguisuga is also known as the "kissing bug"; that would imply a nicer encounter with it!

Larry gene, You are absolutely correct - I should have Googled before I responded. The Cone-nose doesnÂt have the leaf-shaped legs. I IDÂd this one from memory - close but no cigar - can't you give me a couple of points for trying? WS

...and the "kisser" area is dissimilar also. Yes, you get points for offering an ID. It's fair game since we haven't pinned down this species. I didn't see anything similar on bugguide.net.

I think I have it nailed - Leptoglossus occidentalis. Don't know thw common name.WS

I agree, it is very likely L. occidentalis, the "Western Conifer Seed Bug". It made its way back East about 20 years ago. Thanks for this ID, I have seen this bug since childhood (since I am out West), and have one in my collection. They are very common.

Other sites equate it with the "leaf-footed bug", but this may be a general term. There was a leaf-footed bug pictured on this forum last year that had a much more widely expanded "foot", either another species or a variation of L. occidentalis

Basic info on this bug

I have these in my house right now and they are driving me nuts! I know they don't bite or sting, but they don't fly into my hair and they crawl into my bed at night. I have them so bad I've been thinking about bug bombing my house. Does anyone know of any natrual repellents for them? They don't move out until late spring, so until then I need help!
Thanks!

Okay, I don't know how to edit my post so I meant to say that they DO fly into my hair, which I hate.

Vacuum them up with a shop vac or canister vacuum. Try to find where they're resting and suck 'em up!

Nature abhors a vacuum, and so do seed bugs!

We always called those things Attack beetles. Don't know why. Have been throwing them out of the house all winter!! I heard they are in the Stink bug family.

Hello all, what an odd and interesting feeling to come back to a forum and find a post that you wrote 6 months ago still alive and well!! LOL. I haven't been here but I'm glad that you all finally figured out what that insect is, and I'm VERY glad that it wasn't one of the bloodsucking guys. I found him outside though, so that wasn't very likely anyway. Now, the question is, is there something I need to do to protect my conifers from this pest? or is a random sighting no cause for worry. THanks.

I've never heard of the Conifer Seed Bug being a major pest out West; you may want to google around or contact a local NY agricultural service, ask at a local nursery selling conifers, or observe for any sickly trees in your neighborhood.

Beetles do far more damage to conifers because they bore into the wood and weaken the tree. I suspect the conifers have seeds to spare for the seed bug.

Hi Larry gene, you are right - I did a search about these insects in NY, and what i found is that they are more of a pest when they enter buildings to overwinter than they are to the conifers. They do eat the seeds, and that reduces the population of the host tree, but they don't seem to do damage to the host tree, as far as i can see. Thanks! Gotta love the internet!

Is it on this page?

Here is a link that might be useful: Boxelder Bugs

It is a cone nosed conifer beetle, harmless pest but creepy looking.