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Insect Identification > Description of the Boxelder Bug
 

Details of the Boxelder Bug

CATEGORY:
True Bug

COMMON NAME:
"Boxelder Bug"

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Boisea trivittata)

TAXONOMY:
(View Orders)
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
   Class:Insecta
    Order: Hemiptera
     Family: Rhopalidae
      Genus: Boisea
       Species: trivittata


CHARACTERISTICS: Boxelder Bugs commonly congregate alongside homes or trees near a female Boxelder and in full view of the sun. They are identifiable by the distinct black and red coloring on their bodies (the red appearing as stripes against the black). Boxelder bugs will secrete a staining dye when crushed. If found indoors, your best bet is to remove them with a paper towl or vacuum cleaner to avoid a mess.

ADULT SIZE (Length, not including legs):
11mm to 14mm (0.43in to 0.55in) (Compare Size)

IDENTIFYING COLORS: red; black; gray; orange

North American Reach
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Washington, Utah, Oregon
 
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Picture of Boxelder Bug
Courtesy of Tim C of Lampton County, Ontario


More Pictures of the Boxelder Bug:
Pic of the Boxelder Bug
Images @InsectIdentification.org • Hover over each image to view submission credit

     

 

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