Boxelder Bug
Forest Health Guide for Georgia Foresters
Written by Terry Price, Georgia Forestry Commission
Adapted for the web by the Bugwood Network
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The boxelder bug, Boisea trivittatus, prefers to feed on boxelder but will feed on ash and maple. The adults are about 7/16 inch long; black with 3 longitudinal red stripes on the thorax and red margins on the basal half of the wings. The abdomen is bright red under the wings (Figure 181). The bugs feed primarily on the seed bearing trees by sucking sap from the leaves. Damage to the tree is considered minor but the bugs are a source of annoyance to homeowners. They congregate in large numbers in or on the outside of houses and other buildings in autumn looking for places to hibernate. They appear to be attracted to bright sunny surfaces. Thousands may literally cover the sides of buildings. Female boxelder trees should be replaced with males or the non-seed bearing ones. The bugs can be treated with an insecticide as they congregate on buildings.
Figure 181
photo by Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series |
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