Boxelder Bug

Boisea trivittata

Appearance

• Body somewhat flattened, elongated-oval shape with head narrower than body
• Adult Boxelder bugs black with red lines, nymphs bright red
• 6 legs
• 1/2" in length
• Antenna half the length of the body with 4-segments
• Veinous wings with an outer membrane
• Piercing mouthparts that form a beak beneath the body when not in use

Lifecycle

• Eggs are red, hatching in two weeks, followed by five phases of growth called instars
• Adult Boxelder bugs emerge from hibernaton (overwintering) late April through early May

Habits

• Visibility-Boxelder bugs gather, sometimes in large numbers, on the south side of rocks, trees and buildings where the sun hits throughout the day
• Feeding-Feed on seed-bearing silver maple trees and the seeds of the boxelder trees, and on occasion, the fruit of plum and apple trees
• When crushed or handled, Boxelder bugs produce a strong, not so pleasant odor
• Beware-Skin irritation can result from being bitten