Boxelder Bugs!

The above picture was taken in my house moments before this creature met its unfortunate timely death.  This is a boxelder bug, sometimes referred to as a maple bug.

Boxelder bugs are a North American species of true bug and are found throughout the eastern United States west to Nevada.  They are found on Boxelder trees, also called Ash Maple, Ash-leaf Maple, or American Maple, where they feed on the seeds of the female trees.
 


Boxelder tree; photo courtesy of boxelderbug.com

These bugs can be identified by their dark brown or black color and orange or red markings.  They have three stripes behind the head and coloration on the abdomen.  Their wings also overlap to lay flat on their bodies forming an "x".  Adult boxelder bugs are around 1/2 in. long.

photo courtesy of Bruce Martin; wikipedia.org

In the spring, adults will emerge and feed on low vegetation or seeds on the ground.  A few weeks later, they will begin mating and move to female seed-bearing boxelder trees.  Eggs will be laid on trunks, branches, and leaves.  

As fall approaches, a new generation will look for somewhere to overwinter, often invading homes.  They do not reproduce inside buildings nor cause harm to people.  However, they can be a nuisance if they invade in large numbers.  They can stain walls, curtains, etc. with their excrement.  Boxelder bugs can also release a pungent smell when disturbed.

  

photo courtesy of iastate.edu

To help control boxelder bugs from entering your home, seal up all cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, etc.  The bugs will be most attracted to the southern and western sides of buildings/homes.