At Sierra Llorona Panama Lodge you can find Leaf - Footed Bugs, they are perfectly harmless, and you can simply release the odd ones that get inside. They do have stink glands, but the odor is not that revolting, and is not terribly persistent. Only when they are physically grabbed will they use this defense.

Leaf-footed bugs are in the family Coreidae, genus Leptoglossus. There are several species, all native to America . They feed on seeds, on the growing cones of pines, and on the seed pods of catalpa trees. At the garden you will find them feeding from yellow native flowers to be classified.

Even though they are common to abundant, they are very seldom pests, damage to trees or plants from these insects are ever noticeable.

"The Hemiptera family Coreidae includes leaf footed bugs and squash bugs. Leaf footed bugs are medium to large sized insects (more than 3/8" long) and have leaf like expansions of the hind tibia and femora.

They have four segmented antennae, large compound eyes and one pair of ocelli, or simple eyes."

Note: All pictures are property and where taken at Sierra Llorona Panama Lodge.