Boxelder Bugs
The adult Boxelder bug (Leptocoris
trivittatus) is elliptical in
shape and about 1/2 inch long
with three red stripes on
the thorax, wings outlined in red and the red eyes. Most of the body is dark
gray or black. The young (nymphs) are similar in appearance to the adults with
the big difference being size and color pattern. The nymphs are bright red;
older nymphs have dark gray wing pads. The larvae and adults feed primarily on
the seeds of the female boxelder tree (Acer negundo), they will feed on maples as
well. Like
the ladybugs, the boxelder bugs seek a protected place to overwinter. Typical
sites are in cracks or crevices in walls, doors, under windows and around
foundations, particularly on south and west exposures. In the home
the are mostly a nuisance. They don't generally feed in the house, though they
may try to feed on some house plants. When the weather warms up, even in the
middle of winter, they will become
active again seeking to mate and find the host plants outside. Control inside is
best done by vacuuming them up and immediately disposing of them, because they
are not considered beneficial. Chemical control outside is best applied to the trees
outside where they spend the spring through fall. In the south there may be
multiple generations so you may see congregations of them in the summer and
again in the fall. The adult female lays the small, red eggs on leaves and
stones and in cracks and crevices in the bark of female boxelder trees. The eggs
hatch into young wingless nymphs that are bright red with black markings. They
are found on low vegetation near boxelder trees and move to the boxelder when
the seeds form. Another control option is to remove any female boxelder or
maple trees that are serving as hosts.
Boxelder Bug, HYG-2106-94, http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/hyg-fact/2000/2106.html
Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note 40 (ENT/ort-40), BOXELDER BUG, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Ornamentals_and_Turf/houseplant_contents/ort040e/ort040e.htm
Boxelder Bug, http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/boxelder.html
The Golden-Rain-Tree Bug or Redshouldered Bug
The adult of
this bug (Jadera haematoloma) is remarkably similar to the boxelder bug,
but not as common in Georgia. It is in the same family as the boxelder bug and
its biology is similar. The body is a gray or black color with red
shoulder stripes on the thorax. The underneath of the abdomen has a red
coloration similar to the
boxelder bug.
Its habits are similar to the boxelder except it prefers to feed on the seeds of
the Golden-Rain-Tree but may feed on other plants such as rose of Sharon,
Chinaberry and other plants. Control methods would also be
the same. Most people would be inclined to call it a boxelder bug unless they
examined it closely.
The Golden-Rain-Tree Bug, http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/97PestNews/97News16/ornament.html
email: uge1067@.uga.edu
Jack Arnott, former program assistant
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative
Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all
people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.
The adult Boxelder bug (Leptocoris
trivittatus) is elliptical in
shape and about 1/2 inch long
with three red stripes on
the thorax, wings outlined in red and the red eyes. Most of the body is dark
gray or black. The young (nymphs) are similar in appearance to the adults with
the big difference being size and color pattern. The nymphs are bright red;
older nymphs have dark gray wing pads. The larvae and adults feed primarily on
the seeds of the female boxelder tree (Acer negundo), they will feed on maples as
well. Like
the ladybugs, the boxelder bugs seek a protected place to overwinter. Typical
sites are in cracks or crevices in walls, doors, under windows and around
foundations, particularly on south and west exposures. In the home
the are mostly a nuisance. They don't generally feed in the house, though they
may try to feed on some house plants. When the weather warms up, even in the
middle of winter, they will become
active again seeking to mate and find the host plants outside. Control inside is
best done by vacuuming them up and immediately disposing of them, because they
are not considered beneficial. Chemical control outside is best applied to the trees
outside where they spend the spring through fall. In the south there may be
multiple generations so you may see congregations of them in the summer and
again in the fall. The adult female lays the small, red eggs on leaves and
stones and in cracks and crevices in the bark of female boxelder trees. The eggs
hatch into young wingless nymphs that are bright red with black markings. They
are found on low vegetation near boxelder trees and move to the boxelder when
the seeds form. Another control option is to remove any female boxelder or
maple trees that are serving as hosts.
