Boxelder Bug nymph
Scientific Name: Boisea trivittata
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Rhopalidae
Size: 1/16 to 1/2 inch (nymphs are smaller and bright red)
Natural Habitat
Found near boxelder, maple, and ash trees; often seek shelter in houses during winter
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous, primarily feeding on the seeds, leaves, and flowers of host trees like the Boxelder tree
Behavior Patterns
Active in warm weather; nymphs congregate in large groups; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis from egg to adult
Risks & Benefits
Non-toxic and do not bite or sting, but can be a nuisance pest when they enter homes in large numbers; they do not cause significant damage to trees
Identified on: 6/11/2026