| The Western
Conifer Seed Bug is a large North American species. It
was recorded in Europe (Italy) in 1999, possibly via
imported timber and has since spread rapidly, appearing
in the UK for the first time in 2007 at Weymouth College (Ford, B.) There were further records during the
latter part of 2008, with most records coming from MV
moth traps operated along the south and south-east
coasts. Adults even reached inland, with the most
northerly being at Kendal (Petley-Jones, R.) Nearer to Nottinghamshire, there were
records from Quorn in Leicestershire (Gamble, P.) and at Charlesworth in Derbyshire (recorder unknown) There have recently been more
reports of this bug at MV light since early September
2009. This adult however, appears to be the first
Nottinghamshire record. It was found by Mrs Moira
Worthington at Eakring, on the bedroom curtains on
September 27th 2009. Thankfully, she emailed a picture to
us for identification and retained the specimen. The Western Conifer Seed Bug is a
Nearctic pest of conifer seed nurseries and records
currently have to be sent to DEFRA. There are no records
of this bug breeding in the wild state as yet, but this
is considered to be very likely, due to it's rapid
colonistation and spread across Europe within ten years.
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