About Acanthocephala femorata (Fabricius, 1775)
The Florida leaf-footed bug, scientifically known as Acanthocephala femorata, is a species of insect. Its genus name Acanthocephala means "spiny head", which comes from the pointed tylus at the tip of the insect's head. Acanthocephala femorata is found across the continental United States and Mexico. This insect is classified as a pest, as it feeds on and causes damage to citrus plants and roses. The lower section of its rear legs is wider than the upper section, and bears serrations; this trait is particularly pronounced in male individuals. It has long, slim, curving antennae with distinctive orange tips. Its body ranges in color from reddish brown to nearly black. This species has multiple natural predators, so biological control is generally sufficient to keep its populations from growing out of control. Many individuals do not survive past the larval stage: parasitic flies often lay their eggs inside developing larvae, which paralyzes the larvae. Adult Acanthocephala femorata are also eaten by birds and assassin bugs.
