Boxelder Bug
by Juergen Roth
Title
Boxelder Bug
Artist
Juergen Roth
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Boxelder Bug macro photography from the inspiring Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary.
The boxelder bug is a highly specialized insect feeds almost exclusively on the seeds of Acer species. It is sometimes known as a garage beetle or may be confused with other Jadera, especially Boisea rubrolineata. The name stink bug, which is more regularly applied to the family Pentatomidae, is sometimes erroneously used to refer to Boisea trivittata. Instead, these insects belong to the family Rhopalidae, the so-called scentless plant bugs. However, boxelder bugs are redolent and will release a pungent and bad-tasting compound upon being disturbed to discourage predation; this allows them to form conspicuous aggregations without being preyed on.
They may form large aggregations while sunning themselves in areas near their host plant (e.g. on rocks, shrubs, trees, and man-made structures). However, their congregation habits and excreta can annoy people; thus, they are considered nuisance pests. This is especially a problem during the cooler months, when they sometimes invade houses and other man-made structures seeking warmth or a place to overwinter. They remain inactive inside the walls (and behind siding) while the weather is cool. When the heating systems revive them, some may falsely perceive it to be springtime and enter inhabited parts of the building in search of food, water, and conspecifics. In the spring, the bugs leave their winter hibernation locations to feed and lay eggs on maple or ash trees; aggregations may be seen during this time and well into summer and early fall, depending on the temperature.
Uploaded
April 3rd, 2013
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