Leppy's Winter Diary: The Arrival

   Hello again! It's been a wild year. Ike will be a year and a half come December. He's walking, starting to make sounds that sound more like words, and he's becoming a charming little guy! As you can imagine, he's kept me fairly busy. Anyway, onto the real star of this blog post!

   Now that it's getting colder out I have more time to write and I have a little project I'd like to tell you about. Project: Leppy's Hibernation. 

   A few days ago I went to the store and spotted a large bug on a storefront window. He was so big, I couldn't not see him! We captured him. The poor thing was freezing and could barely move. I thought he would perish before the night was over. Turns out, he is a Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis). After doing some research, I found that these bugs overwinter and are easy to support when doing so! So, I'm going to try to overwinter a bug for the first time. They overwinter because they're looking for a warm, sheltered place to wait out the winter to continue on with their lives in the spring. 

Note: Below are some photos I took on the window and right when he arrived home and we were still trying to figure out what he was. First spotted: October 27.

   I looked into the process and they usually seek out crevices and tight spaces to seek refuge. They survive the winter on stored fat reserves so they don't need to eat. All I needed was a crushed up paper coffee cup in case he wants a tight space and some dried up leaves for cover. I wanted him to be able to pick a place to hide for himself. I also supply him with a Q-tip with water on both ends every couple days for drinking and humidity so he doesn't dry out.

   It's only been a few days so there's not much to report but he's climbed out of his original Tupperware container I caught him in and moved into his new home, under some crunchy leaves. He'll likely remain mostly still for the rest of the winter but could wake up on warmer days. I'll report anything that happens. If he awakes early I can supply him with pinecones and pine twigs to feed on.

Note: Below are some photos of his winter home. A mesh bug home with some leaves and the crushed coffee cup! I moved him for the photo but he's usually in front of the window, away from the glass with curtains closed. It's the coolest place in the house. Bug home comfy for Leppy: October 29.