South American Leaf-Footed Bug vs Pallid Kissing Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Leaf-Footed Bug Pallid Kissing Bug
Scientific Name Leptoglossus zonatus Triatoma pallidipennis
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Coreidae Reduviidae
Size 15-20 mm 24-30 mm
Habitat Orchards Indoors
Diet Seed Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Americas from the United States through Argentina Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Leaf-Footed Bug

A brown coreid bug with expanded leaf-like hind tibiae and a pale zigzag band across the forewings. It is a significant pest of corn, citrus, and pomegranates.

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Did You Know?

Its flattened hind leg expansions may serve to mimic leaf fragments or to intimidate rivals during territorial displays.

Pallid Kissing Bug

A Chagas disease vector found in central and southwestern Mexico. It readily colonizes human dwellings in rural areas.

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Did You Know?

It is the most frequently collected triatomine species inside homes in the state of Morelos, Mexico.