292 Pomegranate Leaf footed bugs Pest Leaf footed bugs can penetrate the rind to suck out juice, causing an internal fungus infection in part of the fruit. It is best to harvest damaged fruit as it appears, remove the infected parts, and consume the rest. The eggs of leaf-footed bugs can be spotted on the underside of leaves and removed. The bugs can also be contained by attracting small birds to feed on them. 8,866