Boxelder Bug

Pest Description

• adults: 1/2 inch; black body and wings with three red lines on back
• nymphs: smaller and are bright red with black legs and wing pads
• eggs: cylindrical; orange to red and laid in clusters

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• seeds of maple trees; primarily boxelder tree seeds
• feed on sap from boxelder seeds
• occasionally cannibalistic
• occasionally cause damage to non-host fruit, such as apples
• no damage done to trees
• nuisance: congregate around buildings; can come indoors and annoy occupants
• overwinter in cracks, crevices, leaf litter and in buildings

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• overwinter as adults in and around homes
• become active in March with warming temperatures
• adults lay eggs on and near boxelder trees around budbreak
• two generations per year; overlapping life stages present
• nymphs and adults are the damaging stages

IPM Recommendations

• No damage to trees; nuisance pest only.
• Remove unwanted/volunteer female boxelder trees (i.e., with seeds) in the area if possible.
• Seal cracks that may allow bugs to enter buildings.
• Vacuum to remove indoor and outdoor populations.

For more information, see our Boxelder Bug fact sheet.