Boxelder Bug

Three members of the order Hemiptera (True Bugs) are stomping around Ohio right now. Boxelder Bugs are appearing in home landscapes. Western Conifer Seed Bugs are appearing on developing conifer cones, and Magnolia Leaf-Footed Bugs are appearing on the seed pods of their namesake host.

This is the time of the year when we typically receive complaints of large numbers of stink bugs, lady beetles, and a few other insects flooding into homes. However, it’s been more of a trickle rather than a flood this fall, at least thus far.

It won't be long before fall home-invading insects start appearing on our doorsteps in search of winter quarters. The unwelcomed guests may include Boxelder Bugs; Western Conifer Seed Bugs; and Magnolia Seed Bugs. Of course, the two most notorious fall marauders are the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles and Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs. These non-natives have a deserved reputation for invading homes in huge numbers.

I've received four e-mail messages since late last week from concerned Ohio homeowners who asked about controlling kissing bugs. However, two included images of western conifer seed bugs which is a type of leaffooted bug. One message had images of boxelder bugs and one person included a very nice picture of a wheel bug found on their porch.

Our drop in temperatures throughout Ohio will no doubt convince fall home invading insects that it's time to seek winter quarters. These unwelcomed guests typically include Boxelder Bugs; Western Conifer Seed Bugs; Magnolia Seed Bugs; Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles; and the most notorious of all, Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs.

Last Friday, Larry Parker (Cincinnati Parks) sent to me the images below of Boxelder Bugs (Boisea trivittata, order Hemiptera) hanging out on a park's building. 'Tis the season.