Boxelder Bug Nymph

Natural Habitat

Found near boxelder, maple, and ash trees; often seen on rocks, mulch, and house foundations during sunny days.

Diet & Feeding

Liquid feeders that suck juices from the leaves, flowers, and seeds of host trees, primarily the female boxelder tree.

Behavior Patterns

Active in warm weather; they congregate in large numbers on south-facing walls or sun-warmed surfaces. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis from bright red nymphs to black-and-red adults.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; they do not bite or cause significant damage to trees. However, they can become a nuisance pest when they enter homes in large clusters to overwinter.

Identified on: 6/11/2026