Boxelder Bug, Eastern Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata)

Order: Hemiptera (he-MIP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Rhopalidae (ro-PAL-ih-dee) (Info) Genus: Boisea Species: trivittata Profile: No positives 9 neutrals 1 negative Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Bessemer, Alabama Wilmington, Delaware Haines City, Florida Lecanto, Florida Westchester, Illinois Benton, Kentucky Lafayette, Louisiana Circle Pines, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Bridgeton, Missouri Pequannock, New Jersey North Collins, New York Mooresville, North Carolina Beach, North Dakota Belfield, North Dakota Toledo, Ohio Millersburg, Pennsylvania Winchester, Virginia Meadow Creek, West Virginia Sinks Grove, West Virginia Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Neutral kennedyh On Aug 21, 2006, kennedyh from Churchill, Victoria (Australia) (Zone 10a) wrote: This species was previously known as Leptocoris trivittatus Neutral melody On Sep 1, 2006, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote: While the adult insects or the nymphs do no real damage to the trees, they do create a mess sometimes with the nymphs drpooing out on to the ground, and unsuspecting bug-squeamish passerbys. Found throughout the eastern half of North america, the adults generally overwinter under bark and in cracks of buildings. Neutral IrisLover79 On Mar 30, 2007, IrisLover79 from Westchester, IL (Zone 5b) wrote: We had large numbers of these bugs around last fall & this spring (end of March). They formed clumps (with dozens of bugs) on the compost heap, dead logs, and our garage. They haven't harmed any plants, I just dislike their large numbers because I'm afraid of bugs. I've also heard them referred to as "Halloween bugs," because they are orange & black and are around in the fall. [I put a similar description in the Large Milkweed Bug file. I mistakenly thought that's what these were, at first. I don't know how to delete that comment, sorry!] ~Kristy Neutral drummer49 On Apr 5, 2007, drummer49 from Haines City, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: We've had them for years. They do NO DAMAGE, but they are prolific. They love Golden Raintrees. The summer after hurricane Charley, we saw very few, but they're back now. I have yet to find a pesticide that wipes them out, they adapt quickly. Neutral canai On Apr 8, 2007, canai from Lafayette, LA wrote: These bugs attacked my tomatoes last summer. I didn't harvest even one. They would attack a few green tomatoes at a time sucking all the liquid inside. I tried throwing flour on them which they didn't like , later a microbe liquid which seemed to smother them and lastly moth traps that they were able to free themselves from. I shook the tomatoes and once in the trap I crushed them . There were just to many of them and I lost the battle. 30 years of gardening and I have never encounter these persistant pest. Any ideas? Neutral bolino On Jun 28, 2007, bolino from Toledo, OH (Zone 5b) wrote: Found these clustered on a patio fence 6-28-07 Neutral melsalz On Sep 5, 2007, melsalz from Mooresville, NC (Zone 7b) wrote: Not sure if these guys are doing any damage yet but they are all over my butterfly weed seed pods. Very prolific. Negative cathy4 On Oct 13, 2007, cathy4 from St. Louis County, MO (Zone 5a) wrote: We had these bugs so bad we had to cut down the tree they lived on. We could scoop them up with a shovel to put in a bag. They invaded our house, covered the sunny side of the house until you couldn't see the siding. They leave little smeary marks on everything. It was years after cutting down the tree that we finally got rid of them. Then we moved. Our neighbor has a golden rain tree, and they also have these bugs, but not as bad. Neutral Malus2006 On Mar 12, 2008, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: I have seen them all growing season long - clearly they feed on some plants other than boxelders - I heard they prefer certain sexes of boxelder. I am curious about why goldenrain trees- clearly they are not part of Acer genus (Maple) I will have to research them. Maybe the particular goldenrain tree were genetic extra susceptible or stressed so that why it attracted more bugs than neighbor. Neutral claypa On Jun 22, 2008, claypa from West Pottsgrove, PA (Zone 6b) wrote: To the posters discussing Golden Raintrees and this bug, there is a similar bug in the same family that prefers Golden Raintrees, so that's probably what you're seeing: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]

By IrisLover79 By bolino By bolino By melody By IrisLover79 By IrisLover79 By IrisLover79 There are a total of 9 photos. Click here to view them all!