# Giant leaf-footed bug (*Acanthocephala declivis*) The Giant leaf-footed bug is a cool insect with big, flat feet that look like leaves! They are often found resting on plants and can be green or brown to blend in with their surroundings. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Giant leaf-footed bug](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Giant_Leaf-footed_Bug_Texas.jpg&width=800) Photo: NCBioTeacher, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giant_Leaf-footed_Bug_Texas.jpg) ## Appearance The Giant leaf-footed bug is a large, dark brown insect recognized by its distinctively flattened, leaf-like hind legs. It often has small orange or reddish markings on its body, making it stand out on green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Coreidae - **Genus:** Acanthocephala ## Interesting facts - A group of leaf-footed bugs is simply called a 'cluster' as they often gather on favorite plants! - Baby leaf-footed bugs, called nymphs, have tiny legs that aren't leafy yet! - Their eggs can look like tiny, shiny beads laid in neat rows on the underside of leaves and stems! - They sometimes shiver their whole bodies, sending tiny vibrations through plants to talk to other bugs! ## Special abilities - **Leafy Disguise:** Giant leaf-footed bug has broad, flattened hind legs that help them blend in perfectly with leaves and stems for camouflage. - **Stink Alarm:** Giant leaf-footed bug can release a foul-smelling liquid from special glands to warn predators to stay away. - **Sap Sucker:** Giant leaf-footed bug has a specialized piercing-sucking mouthpart to drink nourishing sap from plants. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eating bugs use straw-like mouthparts to drink sap from fruits and stems. - **Primary Foods:** citrus fruits, berries, tomato stems, bean pods, fruit sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Blue Jays are common bird predators. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Arigiope aurantia*) — Spiders can trap and eat these bugs. - **Eats:** [Tomato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tomato) (*Solanum lycopersicum*) — They feed on sap from tomato plants. - **Eats:** [Orange Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orange-tree) (*Citrus sinensis*) — They can be pests on citrus crops. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These bugs are safe to look at, but it's best not to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Giant leaf-footed bug? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Giant leaf-footed bug's wingspan? 30-45 mm ### How big is Giant leaf-footed bug? 20-30 mm ### How long does Giant leaf-footed bug live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Giant leaf-footed bug fly? 8 km/h ### What does Giant leaf-footed bug eat? These plant-eating bugs use straw-like mouthparts to drink sap from fruits and stems. ### Where is Giant leaf-footed bug usually found? Urban areas ### How does Giant leaf-footed bug hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District [View all places to see Giant leaf-footed bug](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/giant-leaf-footed-bug) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Giant leaf-footed bug: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/giant-leaf-footed-bug)