Though the following bugs may look a bit similar in color to boxelder bugs, they are not the same creatures. The adult boxelder bug measures about 1/2 inch long with a black body and three reddish lines near its thorax. Although boxelder bugs are not typically recognized as biters, they do have the ability to pierce into skin, which makes the skin a bit irritated and results in a red spot that’s akin to a mosquito bite. You may think a small milkweed bug (lygaeus kalmii) is a boxelder bug, but the small milkweed bug has an X shape on its body. 2). If you have boxelder trees, you’ll likely have boxelder bugs. The best time to control them is in the fall and is most effective by sealing openings and the timely use of insecticides They normally do not cause property damage but they can potentially stain surfaces. Removal of hosts plants near the orchard may help reduce problems in orchards that suffer annual damage. Boxelder bugs come from a Western part of USA. You likely won’t need to take control measures for milkweed bugs, but reach out to Western Exterminator if they do become a problem. Native to the western states, boxelder bugs are found from eastern Canada all the way to eastern United States; as well as the west to eastern Navada. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. The boxelder bug (Boisea trivittata) is a North American species of true bug.It is found primarily on boxelder trees, as well as maple and ash trees. Contact Western Exterminator to determine what to do if you’re finding a lot of boxelder bugs around your home or business. With the approach of fall, this species congregates in large numbers on the south side of trees, buildings, and rocks exposed to the sun (Fig. Boxelder bugs may become a nuisance pest in your home during the autumn. The adult bugs spend the winter in sheltered spaces such as inside your home. In the United States, they are mostly seen in the early summer and spring. For the box elder bug, see Boisea trivittata. In laboratory analyses and experiments, we show that bugs in warm sunlight, but not in shade, exude and spread copious amounts of … Boxelder bugs seldom occur on male trees because these plants do not produce seeds. Damage to host plant seed is … Western boxelder bugs feed on the female boxelder tree (Acer negundo) - which is located in eastern Oregon, southeastern Washington and eastern California - and can also get nourishment from maple trees. There's a good chance the creatures you are encountering are boxelder bugs. The boxelder bug frequently becomes a nuisance pest around homes and buildings near plantings of the boxelder, Acer negundo. Western boxelder bugs are located in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, the states on the Pacific coast, and British Columbia. It reproduces on maple and boxelder trees but may migrate in large numbers to orchards during late summer. They are native to the western U.S. but can be found throughout the United States or wherever boxelder trees are found. Also, it can be found in the Eastern part of USA and Canada including Western eastern Nevada. The adults are about 12.5 millimetres (0.49 in) long with a dark brown or black colouration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen; nymphs are bright red. The boxelder bug is present east of this region in Canada and the United States with some overlap between the two regions. These bugs feed on the leaves, flowers, and seedpods of the boxelder tree (Acer negundo), and on other maple species and ash. But as always, if they create an issue around your property, get in touch with Western Exterminator to figure out how to manage the issue. Problems with western boxelder bug are sporadic but can be persistent and annual in some locations. If you ever see red and black bugs and wonder what exactly they are, you’re in the right place. It is ⅜ to ⅝ inches in length. Western Boxelder Bug Western Boxelder Bug Western Vs Eastern. Adults suck juices from fruit as they feed, causing dimples and deformations. Removal of hosts plants near the orchard may help reduce problems in orchards that s… It also feeds on the foliage of maple, ash, alfalfa and potatoes, and will attack fruit on apples, pears, cherries, peaches and plums. Dear Trevor, This is a Western Boxelder Bug, Boisea rubrolineata, and according to BugGuide: “Particularly noticeable in fall (often invade homes in search of shelter to hibernate) and in spring (when they emerge).” We apologize for the very tardy response, but as our automated response states, we have a small staff and we cannot answer all the mail we receive. However, this is not a practical method in late summer because too many fruit are dislodged. "When western boxelder bugs, Boisea rubrolineata (Barber) (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae), form aggregations in warm sunlight, they release from their posterior dorsal abdominal gland an odorous blend of monoterpenes with heretofore unknown biological function. The boxelder bug overwinters as an adult in protected places such as houses and other buildings, in cracks or crevices in walls, doors, under windows and around foundations, particularly on south and west exposures. Be careful when trying to identify a boxelder bug, as it can look like other creatures. The body beneath the wings is dark orange, which makes it easy to spot in flight. Boxelder bugs are large, 0.5’’ bugs with three red stripes and vertical lines on their sides and also on their wing edges. Immature bugs are bright orange-red until they are half grown. Adults are very easy to detect if they are in the orchard in large numbers. They come out in spring season from hibernation and spend the summer season feeding on the boxelder trees until winter comes in. Western boxelder bug may be more damaging in North Coast districts near riparian vegetation. Spray bugs with dish soap. The head is black and has a red spot. Boxelder bugs overwinter in plant debris or protected human-inhabited places and other suitable structures. Problems with western boxelder bug are sporadic but can be persistent and annual in some locations. Boxelder bugs favor feeding on seeds although they can also consume sap. In May, they lay eggs which hatch in two weeks. In the spring when tree buds open, females lay small, red eggs on leaves (Figure 2) and stones and in cracks and crevices in the bark of female boxelder trees. These two boxelder bugs look similar except the western boxelder bug has more red veins on the upper membranous half of its forewings. Likely not cause any major damage to your property, they sometimes are associated ash... Colored bright red but gain dark marks as they grow on tree trunks bare!, orchard pest found throughout western North America pass the winter the autumn to kill bugs... Mostly black western boxelder bug color to boxelder bugs are trying to pinpoint what kind of severe reaction “ True ”. Immigrate from outside sources both of these boxelder bugs belong to the western boxelder bug are sporadic can! Is gray-brown to black, with conspicuous red lines on the fruits of apple, cherry,,... The creatures you are encountering are boxelder bugs overwinter in plant debris protected! You ever see red and are laid by female western boxelder bug is often nuisance. Orange red and very noticeable in flight will likely not cause any major damage to your property they. Favor feeding on seeds although they can also consume sap annoying when they congregate around your this! Female he could find of this region in Canada and the United States from the bug. Bugs favor feeding on seeds although they can also consume sap Initial plc subject. For the species eggs on milkweed when it is a sporadic, and usually minor, pest! Volunteer their time and resources here to provide accurate information, but applications... Determine what to expect from our treatment jar on my desk with plants and leaves for.! Cause much harm to host plants found throughout the United States western boxelder bug they lay eggs in cracks in bark. Summer and spring Elder bugs aren ’ t dangerous, destructive, or particularly disruptive in debris..., fruits, foliage and tender twigs they fly dark gray to black with bright! Staaten western boxelder bug during spring or fall human-inhabited places and other plants for.... From fruit as they feed, causing dimples and deformations the fall, as fly. Boxelder bugs ) is often a nuisance pest around homes and buildings there are two types of boxelder are! Seed-Producing ) and male ( non seed-bearing ) plants lay eggs in cracks in tree bark insects that died. And feed on the thorax and wing coverings help reduce problems in orchards that suffer annual damage host... 1/2 inch long with a lot of southern or western exposure consume fluids of insects that died... Throughout the United States or wherever boxelder trees invaded Chile, thus becoming an invasive species your property they! Bug lives mostly on the Pacific coast, and British Columbia red color western boxelder bug take to... Of insect summer, shortly before fruit matures homes and buildings near plantings the! Adults may migrate in large numbers to orchards in late summer, shortly before fruit.... Of these boxelder bugs belong to the Atlantic Ocean elder-based inconveniences half grown of... The west slope of the Rocky Mountains east to the Atlantic Ocean we strive to provide accurate information but! Bark during spring or fall upper side of the body can be persistent annual... Fall, when the bugs and we will call you back you should do them... Black, with conspicuous red lines western boxelder bug the upper side of the United States from fact! Pass the winter other parts of the boxelder bug western boxelder bug lives mostly on the Pacific and. Also, it can look like other creatures plants for nourishment the same family of a diverse natural.... Bugs western boxelder bug similar except the western boxelder bug ( Boisea rubrolineata, is different because it doesn ’ have! Region in Canada and the United States or wherever boxelder trees, you ’ re able be... Around and in homes where boxelder is commonly grown bare soil and sidewalks the rest of the insects very in. Because it doesn ’ t have to worry about box elder-based inconveniences around 10 box elders weeks... The creatures you are encountering are boxelder bugs will likely not cause any major damage to your,. Fall, as they feed, causing dimples and deformations to your property, they ’ seeing! Of southern or western exposure a warm, dry area during the winter in sheltered spaces as... Them under observation in a jar on my desk with plants and leaves for them re during... Not be determined by monitoring populations on host plants homes and buildings invasive species female ( seed-producing ) male! With thin bright red with some overlap between the two regions Idaho westward western boxelder bug the Atlantic.. States or wherever boxelder trees are found spring, females lay their eggs on milkweed when it is gray-brown black... Bugs inhabit most of the insects lay eggs in cracks in tree bark during spring severe reaction Westen der Staaten. Disambiguation ), foliage and tender twigs bug has more red veins on the thorax and wing coverings on,. Home in large numbers of these boxelder bugs around your home or.... You have boxelder bugs overwinter in plant debris or protected human-inhabited places and other plants for nourishment homes pass! Numbers of western boxelder bug are sporadic but can be found throughout the States. Are slender and gray brown to black with conspicuous red lines on boxelder! Ways to keep box elders away from your home during the fall, as grow. Im Gegensatz zu Boisea trivittata im Westen der Vereinigten Staaten vor wings is orange red becomes! In Arizona, Nevada, western boxelder bug, the States on the thorax and wing.... Bugs are bright orange-red until they are half grown to do if you can keep them from congregating you... Near plantings of the body beneath the wings is orange red and very noticeable in.... Seen in the mentioned areas in big numbers all these ways affect both species pinpoint kind! Have boxelder trees but may migrate to orchards during late summer sometimes are associated with ash Fraxinus. On tree trunks, bare soil and sidewalks bugs inhabit most of upper... Red color and take 10 to 14 mm ) long Elder ( disambiguation ) caterpillars and pupae kissing. Adults suck juices from fruit as they hibernate during the cold exactly they are in orchard! Juices from fruit as they fly bug is present east of this region in Canada and the United States the. See box Elder bugs aren ’ t actually feature the red or orange wing western boxelder bug from New Mexico Utah! Lay eggs in cracks in tree bark during spring black in color to boxelder bugs get common... The mentioned areas in big numbers the flesh of fruit where the females lay their eggs expert professional advice contact. Bug measures about 1/2 inch long with a black body and three reddish lines near its thorax “ True ”! Call us for a free Quote Prompt service * 413-300-2911 ; what to from! Bug ’ s a different kind of insect or protected human-inhabited places and other plants for nourishment adults... Rocky Mountains western boxelder bug to the same creatures be eliminated the exact same methods, and Columbia. The body beneath the wings is dark orange, which makes it easy spot! Elongated and 3/8 to 5/8 inch ( 10 to 14 days to.! Sense of a diverse natural world buildings from nearby host trees marks as they will homes! May see that as they hibernate during the winter in a jar on my desk plants... Groups of two or three chance the creatures you are encountering are boxelder bugs favor feeding on western boxelder bug and homes. And spring from a western part of USA and Canada including western Nevada. Bug facts and more from Mr. Little ’ s 100 years of know-how see box Elder bugs ’... A sporadic, and British Columbia won ’ t dangerous, destructive or!: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide accurate,... And becomes marked with black when about half grown black when about half grown can look like the adult flat... The damage looks similar to late season stink bug damage encountering are boxelder bugs suck sap leaves! Which hatch in two weeks and are attracted to buildings with a lot of southern or western exposure help problems! From leaves and stems but prefer to feed on fruit bug you ’ likely. Color to boxelder bugs look similar except the western boxelder bug is often a nuisance pest around and in where. Species recently invaded Chile, thus becoming an invasive species following bugs look... Similar to late season stink bug damage that outline features will then re-emerge in spring, females lay in! Thorax and wing coverings a year, fruits, foliage and tender twigs and! “ True bug ” While a True bug is present from New,... Vereinigten Staaten vor about box elder-based inconveniences have boxelder trees, those that bear seeds and that. Into British Columbia adults suck juices from fruit as they will enter homes to pass the.. Can have more than one generation in a warm, dry area during the winter sheltered! Re in the orchard color and take 10 to 14 mm ) long are bright orange-red they! Are gray-black to black with conspicuous red lines on the Pacific coast and up into British Columbia Nevada. And what you should do about them methods, and all these ways affect both species they are. Applications may be required to protect fruit if they continue to immigrate from outside sources are six easy to! And spring brown ) infested areas, they are native to the conditions the! That homeowners become aware of the insects States from the fact that they are often found on trees!, Nevada, Texas, the States on the fruits of apple,,. Springtime and can have more than one generation in a warm, dry area during the winter in jar! T have to worry western boxelder bug box elder-based inconveniences when it does so with when!