If you’ve been outside enjoying the fall weather in the mornings and evenings, you may have found swarms of small beetle-like bugs on your home and outdoor stuff. At first glance – these can look like Kissing Bugs, which are blood-feeding insects that live in the SW United States and Mexico. However – some of these bugs may actually be the western leaf footed bug, which has a similar body and appearance to the kissing bug, except its back legs take on the appearance of tiny leaves.
They like to appear in groups and feed on fruits and seeds – good news for those wondering if they had the same culinary tastes as the bloodthirsty kissing bug. Anecdotally – there have been reports of seeing more of these bugs in fall around the Morongo Basin, and in big enough swarms they can do some damage to plants and gardens.
The bugs will naturally move on or disappear as they continue their natural life cycle.
