Bug FAQFlorida Leaf-footed Bug
Acanthocephala femorata · Order: Hemiptera · Family: Coreidae
Source: Wikipedia
The lower rear legs are broader than the upper legs and have serrated edges, and the antennae are long, thin, curved with orange tips. Its body ranges from reddish-brown to almost black, and it feeds on citrus and roses, causing damage to those plants.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The hind legs are wider at the base than the upper legs and have serrations. Antennae are long, slender, curved, and end in orange tips. Body color varies from reddish brown to nearly black.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
It is considered a pest because it damages citrus and roses.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
Biological control from its many predators is generally enough to prevent large outbreaks.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It occurs throughout the continental United States and Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
It feeds on citrus and roses, making it a pest of those plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Many individuals die as larvae because parasitic flies lay eggs inside them, paralyzing the larvae. Natural predators usually keep its populations from exploding.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes the continental United States and Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 20 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants does the Florida leaf-footed bug damage?
It feeds on and harms citrus trees and rose bushes.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I keep this bug from becoming a problem?
Encouraging its natural predators usually controls its numbers.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Coreidae)
Western Conifer Seed BugLeptoglossus occidentalisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Squash BugAnasa tristisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Dock BugCoreus marginatus
Acanthocephala terminalisAcanthocephala terminalisHarmless
Eastern Leaf-footed BugLeptoglossus phyllopusDamages trees, gardens or crops
Giant leaf-footed bugAcanthocephala declivisSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_leaf-footed_bug
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.