Boxelder Bug

Natural Habitat

Commonly found on Boxelder trees (Acer negundo), as well as silver maple and ash trees; frequently seen on the sunny southern walls of buildings in autumn.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily feeds on the seeds, flowers, and leaves of female boxelder trees; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract plant juices.

Behavior Patterns

They exhibit a 'sun-seeking' behavior in the fall, congregating in large numbers on warm surfaces. They hibernate inside wall voids or leaf litter during winter and emerge in spring to lay eggs on host trees.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered a 'nuisance pest' because they invade homes in large numbers. They do not bite or sting and generally do not damage property, though their droppings can stain light-colored surfaces and they may emit a foul odor if crushed.

Identified on: 4/5/2026