Dave:
I agree that woodpecker photo holding the insect is probably
Genus *Leptoglossus*, but without seeing both sides of the insect clearly,
I would not jump to species conclusion.
The photo on the right is *Leptoglossus clypealis *- a common bug of
Colorado. Do Google image searches for *Leptoglossus occedentalis *versus *Leptoglossus
clypealis, *and you'll see the differences.
Note that *L. occidentalis *is found (mostly) west of the Rocky Mountains,
whereas *L. clypealis *is found throughout Colorado and to the east. Both
have similar, but some different food preferences. *L. clypealis* is
considered a food crop pest in some regions.
The common names for both species overlap and will throw people off track.
The common name for *L. clypealis* is the "Western Leaf-Footed Bug" which
is a misnomer, as it lives more in the eastern USA rather than the western
USA.
Hope this clarifies,
John T (Tumasonis), Broomfield CO
On Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:43:08 PM UTC-7 DAVID A LEATHERMAN
wrote:
> The Acorn Woodpecker that showed up recently at Mountain View Cemetery in
> Boulder is generating lots of interest from birders. Todd Deininger of
> Longmont was kind enough to share a few photos of the bird with something
> in its beak. I thought those of you who have seen the bird might be
> interested in what it ate for at least one meal. It obviously has other
> food issues figured out, too. I know from having led “what birds eat”
> field trips in that cemetery that it has some fine oak trees. In the right
> year, those oaks probably have lots of acorns.
>
>
>
> The insect in Todd’s photo is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae,
> genus *Leptoglossus*. There are multiple species in this genus in
> Colorado, but it is probably *L. occidentalis* (common name Western
> Conifer Seed Bug). It inserts its long needlelike mouthpart, called a
> stylet, in the seeds of pines and other conifers. These bugs are reported
> to also feed on the moist fruits of other woody plants. I have long
> suspected they poke juniper cones (“berries”), as I see a lot of these
> insects associated with Rocky Mountain Juniper. Below at left is Todd’s
> photo, highly cropped. Note the wide “calf” (tibia) expansion on each hind
> leg that is leaflike and gives the group its name. At right is a photo of
> a leaf-footed bug (*Leptoglossus* sp.) from a pine tree on the Baca
> County Courthouse grounds, Springfield, CO. I wager anyone who has spent
> considerable time outside paying attention to anything other than their
> Merlin app has seen these.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks to Todd for sharing his observation. If anybody else sees this
> bird eat something interesting, please take a pic and send it to me.
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Dave Leatherman
>
> Fort Collins
>
>
>
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