Boxelder bug

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Boisea trivittata
Box elder bug.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Rhopalidae
Genus: Boisea
Species:
B. trivittata
Binomial name
Boisea trivittata
(Say, 1825)
Synonyms

Leptocoris trivittatus

The boxelder bug (Boisea trivittata), also called box bug, maple bug or, inaccurately, box beetle, is a species of true bug native to eastern North America. The western boxelder bug Boisea rubrolineata is a relative of this species and is native to western North America. Boxelder bugs are found primarily on boxelder trees, as well as on maple and ash trees. [1]

Etymology

Trivittata is from the Latin tri (three) + vittata (banded).

Biology and description

The adults are about 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long with a dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen, with dark red eyes; nymphs are bright red. [2]

Boxelder bugs feed almost entirely on the developing seeds of boxelder, maple, and ash trees. [1]

Boxelder bugs feed, lay eggs and develop on boxelder trees, most commonly occurring on female trees as they produce seeds. Boxelder bugs prefer seeds; however, they also suck leaves. They can be frequently observed on maple as these trees provide them with seeds as well. Boxelder bugs overwinter in plant debris or protected human-inhabited places and other suitable structures.

Taxonomy and similar species

The eastern boxelder bug is sometimes confused with insects belonging to the genera Jadera, Pyrrhocoris, and Melacoryphus .

They may also be confused with the western boxelder bug ( Boisea rubrolineata ) which are near relatives in the same genus.

The name "stink bug", which is more regularly applied to the family Pentatomidae, is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to Boisea trivittata. Instead, boxelder bugs belong to the family Rhopalidae, the so-called "scentless plant bugs". However, boxelder bugs are strong-smelling and to discourage predators will release a pungent and bad-tasting compound upon being disturbed. This allows them to form conspicuous aggregations without being preyed on. [3]

Boxelder bugs are also sometimes confused with milkweed bugs, genus Lygaeus for having a similar appearance.

Range

Boxelder bugs are a native species in North America.

The current range of this species covers the eastern United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and south into Guatemala. [4] There have also been many sightings of them in South Africa, but there is a high chance that these individuals are a part of the species Boisea fulcrata, another related species.

In 2020, this species was introduced as a non-native species in Chile and is becoming an invasive species in that region. [5] The introduction follows the use of maple trees as ornamental plantings.

Overwintering, sometimes in homes

Boxelder bugs are not universally considered pests within their native range. Boxelder bugs are harmless to people and pets. [6]

During certain times of the year boxelder bugs cluster together in large groups while sunning themselves on warm surfaces near their host tree [6] (e.g. on rocks, shrubs, trees, and man-made structures).

This is especially a problem in the fall when they are seeking a warm place to overwinter. [6] Large numbers are often seen congregating on houses seeking an entry point. [6]

If they gain access, they remain inactive behind siding and inside of walls while the weather is cool.

Once the home's heating system becomes active for the season, the insects may falsely perceive it to be springtime and enter inhabited parts of the home in search of food and water if there are any openings that allow them to do so. Once inside inhabited areas of a home, their excreta may stain upholstery, carpets, drapes, and they may feed on certain types of house plants. [6]

In the spring, the bugs leave their winter hibernation locations to feed and lay eggs on maple or ash trees. Clustered masses of boxelder bugs may be seen again at this time, and depending on the temperature, throughout the summer.

Their outdoor congregation habits and indoor excreta deposits are perceived as a nuisance by some people, therefore boxelder bugs are often considered pests in those contexts. [6]

The removal of boxelder trees and maple trees can help control boxelder bug populations, but can also result in the loss of a native tree. [6]

Providing ample native woodland or other natural landscape helps Boxelder bugs overwinter without becoming a nuisance, along with helping many other species within the same ecosystem such as ground bees also native to North America.

Relationship to agriculture and gardening

Although they specialize on eating the seeds from maple, boxelder and ash, [1] they may pierce other parts of the plant while feeding, but incidentally.

They are not classified as an agricultural pest and are generally not considered injurious to ornamental plantings. [6]

They are known to damage some fruits in the fall when they leave their summer quarters in trees and seek areas to overwinter. [6] Feeding by the bugs produces dimples, scars, fruit deformation, corky tissue, and even premature fruit-drop in strawberries and some tree fruits. But they are not major agricultural pests. [6]

Predation by other animals

Spiders and cats are minor predators, [6] but because of the boxelder bug's chemical defenses few birds or other animals will eat them. [6] Boxelder bug populations are not affected by any major diseases or parasites. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Acer negundo</i> Species of tree commonly known as boxelder maple

Acer negundo, the box elder, boxelder maple, Manitoba maple or ash-leaved maple, is a species of maple native to North America. It is a fast-growing, short-lived tree with opposite, compound leaves. It is sometimes considered a weedy or invasive species, and has been introduced to and naturalized throughout much of the world, including in South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, much of Europe, and parts of Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western conifer seed bug</span> Species of true bug

The western conifer seed bug, often mistakenly referred to as stink bug, sometimes abbreviated as WCSB, is a species of true bug (Hemiptera) in the family Coreidae. It is native to North America west of the Rocky Mountains but has in recent times expanded its range to eastern North America, to include Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Michigan, Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and has become an accidental introduced species in parts of Europe and Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coreidae</span> Family of insects

Coreidae is a large family of predominantly sap-sucking insects in the Hemipteran suborder Heteroptera. The name "Coreidae" derives from the genus Coreus, which derives from the Ancient Greek κόρις (kóris) meaning bedbug.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coreoidea</span> Superfamily of true bugs

Coreoidea is a superfamily of true bugs in the infraorder Pentatomomorpha which includes leaf-footed bugs and allies. There are more than 3,300 described species in Coreoidea.

<i>Jadera</i> Genus of true bugs

Jadera is a genus of true bugs in the soapberry bug subfamily. Members of this genus are only found in the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lygaeidae</span> Family of true bugs

The Lygaeidae are a family in the Hemiptera, with more than 110 genera in four subfamilies. The family is commonly referred to as seed bugs, and less commonly, milkweed bugs, or ground bugs. However, while many of the species feed on seeds, some feed on sap (mucivory) or seed pods, others are omnivores and a few, such as the wekiu bug, are carnivores that feed exclusively on insects. Insects in this family are distributed across the world. The family was vastly larger, but numerous former subfamilies have been removed and given independent family status, including the Artheneidae, Blissidae, Cryptorhamphidae, Cymidae, Geocoridae, Heterogastridae, Ninidae, Oxycarenidae and Rhyparochromidae, which together constituted well over half of the former family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serinethinae</span> Subfamily of true bugs

Serinethinae is a subfamily of the hemipteran family Rhopalidae, sometimes known as soapberry bugs. They are brightly colored seed-eaters, comprising three genera and about sixty-five species. These bugs are specialists on plants in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), which includes maples, balloon vines, and soapberry trees, among others. Seeds of the plants are the main resource used by adults for reproduction and nymphs for growth and development. Their diversity is the result of an adaptive radiation on these plants, whose cyanide-based defenses the bugs have overcome.

<i>Jadera haematoloma</i> Species of true bug

Jadera haematoloma, the red-shouldered bug, goldenrain-tree bug or soapberry bug is a species of true bug that lives throughout the United States and south to northern South America. It feeds on seeds within the soapberry plant family, Sapindaceae, and is known to rapidly adapt to feeding on particular hosts. The species is often confused with boxelder bugs and lovebugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhopalidae</span> Family of true bugs

Rhopalidae, or scentless plant bugs, are a family of true bugs. In older literature, the family is sometimes called "Corizidae". They differ from the related coreids in lacking well-developed scent glands. They are usually light-colored and smaller than the coreids. Some are very similar to the orsilline lygaeids, but can be distinguished by the numerous veins in the membrane of the hemelytra. They live principally on weeds, but a few are arboreal. All are plant feeders. The type genus for the family is: Rhopalus. Currently 30 genera and over 240 species of rhopalids are known. The oldest fossil rhopalids described are from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, discovered from the Haifanggou Formation. They are not considered economically important with a few species being pests of ornamental trees.

<i>Corythucha arcuata</i> Species of true bug

Corythucha arcuata, the oak lace bug, is a species of Tingidae that is a pest of oaks. It is native to the New World, and was first observed in Europe in 2000.

<i>Oxycarenus lavaterae</i> Species of true bug

Oxycarenus lavaterae, common name lime seed bug, is a species of ground bug of the family Lygaeidae, subfamily Oxycareninae.

<i>Corizus hyoscyami</i> Species of true bug

Corizus hyoscyami is a species of scentless plant bug belonging to the family Rhopalidae, subfamily Rhopalinae. It is commonly called the cinnamon bug or black and red squash bug.

<i>Rhopalus subrufus</i> Species of true bug

Rhopalus subrufus is a species of scentless plant bugs belonging to the family Rhopalidae, subfamily Rhopalinae. It is found in most of Europe, but not Ireland and northern Scandinavia.

<i>Boisea</i> Genus of true bugs

Boisea is the least speciose genus of the soapberry bug subfamily. Members of this genus are found in North America, India, and Africa. Unlike other serinethine genera, the distribution of Boisea is very patchy; it is speculated that its highly vicariant range is relictual of what was previously a much vaster, continuous range. The most well-known species of this genus are the North American boxelder bugs and African Boisea fulcrata. The US species mainly feed on the seeds of maple trees and are occasional nuisance pests around homes.

<i>Lygaeus equestris</i> Species of true bug

Lygaeus equestris, common name black-and-red-bug, is a species of ground bugs belonging to the family Lygaeidae, subfamily Lygaeinae.

<i>Stictopleurus punctatonervosus</i> Species of true bug

Stictopleurus punctatonervosus is a species of scentless plant bugs belonging to the family Rhopalidae, subfamily Rhopalinae.

<i>Stictopleurus crassicornis</i> Species of true bug

Stictopleurus crassicornis is a species of scentless plant bugs belonging to the family Rhopalidae, subfamily Rhopalinae.

<i>Arocatus melanocephalus</i> Species of true bug

Arocatus melanocephalus, the elm seed bug, is a true bug in the family Lygaeidae. The species was initially described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798, and Maximilian Spinola designated it to be the type species of the genus Arocatus in 1837. This bug is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America.

Deraeocoris brevis is a species of predatory plant bug in the family Miridae. It is native to North America where it feeds on plant pests in apple and pear orchards.

<i>Lygaeus kalmii</i> Species of true bug

Lygaeus kalmii, known as the small milkweed bug or common milkweed bug, is a species of seed bug in the family Lygaeidae. It is found in Central and North America.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Boxelder Bugs University of Minnesota Extension
  2. ↑ Göllner-Scheiding, U. (1983): General-Katalog der Familie Rhopalidae (Heteroptera). Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin 59, 37–189.
  3. ↑ Aldrich, J.R.; Carroll, S.P.; Oliver, J.E.; Lusby, W.R.; Rudmann, A.A.; Waters, R.M. (1990). "Exocrine secretions of scentless plant bugs: Jadera, Boisea and Niesthrea species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae)". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 18 (5): 369–376. doi:10.1016/0305-1978(90)90010-D.
  4. ↑ Faúndez, Eduardo I.; Carvajal, Mariom A.; Sarmiento, Carolina (2020). "Detection of the boxelder bug Boisea trivittata (Say, 1825) (Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) in Chile". Heteroptera Poloniae – Acta Faunistica. 14: 125–126. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.3934435 .
  5. ↑ Faúndez, Eduardo I.; Carvajal, Mariom A.; Sarmiento, Carolina (2020). "Detection of the boxelder bug Boisea trivittata (Say, 1825) (Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) in Chile". Heteroptera Poloniae – Acta Faunistica. 14: 125–126. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.3934435 .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Roe, Alan H. (April 2000). "Boxelder Bugs Fact Sheet No. 41" (PDF). www.extension.usu.edu. Utah State University Extension. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-04-27. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
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