Boxelder Bug nymph
Scientific Name: Boisea trivittata
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Rhopalidae
Size: Nymphs range from 1.5 mm to 10 mm; adults are approximately 12.5 mm (1/2 inch).
Natural Habitat
Typically found on or near boxelder, maple, and ash trees; often found on the sunny south sides of buildings in autumn.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous. They feed on juices from host trees, primarily Boxelder (Acer negundo), by sucking sap from leaves, flowers, and seeds.
Behavior Patterns
They are social insects often found in large clusters. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis; this specimen is an immature nymph, evidenced by its bright red abdomen and lack of full wings.
Risks & Benefits
They are considered a nuisance pest when they enter homes to overwinter. They do not sting, bite, or transmit diseases, and they generally do not cause significant damage to the trees they inhabit.
Identified on: 3/31/2026