Florida leaf-footed bug

Taxobox | name = Florida leaf-footed bug


image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Hemiptera
familia = Coreidae
genus = "Acanthocephala"
species = "A. femorata"
binomial = "Acanthocephala femorata"
binomial_authority = (Fabricius, 1775) [ITIS|ID=717444|taxon="Acanthocephala femorata"]

The Florida leaf-footed bug ("Acanthocephala femorata") is a species of insect. The genus name "Acanthocephala" means spiny head and was so-named from the pointed tylus at the tip of the head of this leaf-footed bug [cite web |url=http://www.floridanature.org/species.asp?species=Acanthocephala_femorata |title="Acanthocephala femorata", leaf-footed bug |publisher=FloridaNature.org |accessdate=2007-08-23] .

This bug has been reportedly found in Marion, Arkansas and Lutz, Florida [cite web |url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/307/ |title=Florida Leaf-footed Bug, Leaf-footed Bug ("Acanthocephala femorata") |work=Dave's Garden |accessdate=2007-08-23] .

This insect is a pest, eating and causing damage to citrus and roses. The lower rear legs are wider than the upper legs, with serrations. This is especially pronounced in the male.

This bug has an oddly shaped body, and long, slim, curving antenna. The Florida Leaf-footed bug is noted for the orange tips on the antenna. The body is sometimes nearly black, although it may be reddish brown.

References

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/orn/flowers/euthochtha_galeator.htm