The Leptoglossus zonatus is an insect that is easily identified by its back legs that that is shaped like a leaf. The first time I saw this bug, its red and black colours activated my caution mode.Its bump, diamond-shaped abdomen also made it look dangerous enough.

The Leaf-footed bug has a sharp pointy mouth and that is one of the features that makes it a bug in the true sense of the name. With such a mouth, the leaf-footed bug can suck nutrients during feeding.

Scientific classification

category	Specific
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Heteroptera
Family:	Coreidae
Genus:	Leptoglossus
Species:	L. zonatus ...[ Wikipedia]

Scientific Name

Leptoglossus zonatus

Habitat/reproduction

The leaf-footed bug is found in South America, Central America, Mexico, Nicaragua, Brazil, the southwestern United States, Africa and this one was captured in Nigeria, AkwaIbom State to be specific. Leaf-footed bugs love hangin' out in warm, sunny spots where there is plenty of juicy fruits or seeds They're pretty common in gardens and farms.

The pictures in this post shows the Leaf-footed bug in its nymph stage without its wings.
Their full life cycle starts from the eggs laid by the mother bug on a plant. The egg will later hatch into a juvenile, but that looks like the adult nut hasn't developed wings yet.

It will break out of it skin, molting a number of times before it finally becomes an adult Leaf-footed bug.

Economic importance

This bug is not directly harmful to humans. It can not bite or sting, and do not carry any known diseases that can affect humans. But not being directly harmful in itself doesn't mean they are good. because they can cause indirect harm to our crops in the farm or garden.

Their feeding and representation can damage crops like mangoes, guavas, and citrus, as well as vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.
Legumes, grains, and ornamental plants are a part of their diet.

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All pictures are Author's own

Here are some online resources:

Houston Wilson
University of California, Riverside

Dengarden.com/ What Are Leaf-Footed BugsWhat Are Leaf-Footed Bugs