Insect Identification - Found in Carpentry/Metalworking - Ask Extension
Good morning,
Would you be able to assist in identifying the (attached) insect?
I am a facility manager for a small company. Employees have repo...
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Insect Identification - Found in Carpentry/Metalworking #923518
Asked January 12, 2026, 10:50 AM EST
Good morning,
Would you be able to assist in identifying the (attached) insect?
I am a facility manager for a small company. Employees have reported seeing two different instances of the same type of insect in one of our buildings. Our company works with a pest control specialist to manage pests in our buildings, and he recommended that I reach out to a state agriculture extension office for specific identification.
One specimen was found in an area where the primary function is lumber/carpentry, and another was found in a kitchen/break room area. The distance between where each insect was found is between 50' and 100' (long, narrow suite in a commercial office park).
Apart from general pest management for the building, I'd like to make sure any lumber is not threatened. I'm hoping to pass on the species identification to our pest control specialist.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Best,
Prince George's CountyMaryland
Expert Response
The professional pest control company should have the resources to identify insects if the specific employee cannot. Some companies have entomologists on their staff or if not, laboratories that they can send samples to.
Aside from that, this is a leaf-footed bug, and while they do feed on sap from live trees, they should be harmless to processed lumber. Even when they do feed it is usually minimal damage. They tend to travel inside in the fall searching for a place to overwinter as adults, then emerge in the spring to lay eggs. It is fairly common to see them inside in winter or under siding, etc. The link provided above is for a specific leaf-footed bug but there are a few different species present in Maryland.
There shouldn't be any need for controlling them besides either squishing them or transferring them outside.
Fantastic, I'm glad to hear they are not much to be concerned about. I'll double check the building envelope for good measure and put out a few glue traps, as those are good to have around in general.
You're welcome! We don't recommend glue traps, as they can ensnare small snakes and other harmless animals that may wind-up indoors (or starve small rodents that get stuck, rather than a quicker snap trap euthanasia), but otherwise, yes, no need to worry about the bugs.
