Box Elder Bug

Description:

Boisea trivittata is a North American species of true bug, commonly known as the Box Elder Bug, the Zug, or Maple Bug. It is found primarily on boxelder trees, as well as maple and ash trees. [1] The adults are about 12½ mm (½ in) long with a dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen; nymphs are bright red.[2] These highly specialized insects feed almost exclusively on the seeds of Acer species. The boxelder bug is sometimes known as a garage beetle or may be confused with other Jadera spp., especially Boisea rubrolineata. The name "stink bug," which is more regularly applied to the family Pentatomidae, is sometimes used to refer to Boisea trivittata. Instead, these insects belong to the family Rhopalidae, the so-called "scentless plant bugs". However, boxelder bugs are redolent and will release a pungent and bad-tasting compound upon being disturbed to discourage predation; this allows them to form conspicuous aggregations without being preyed on.[3] Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_elder_b...

Habitat:

Gardens, yards, fields, and woods of North America.

Notes:

When we have warm fall days, hundreds of these will gather on the side of the house to warm themselves in the sun. I captured this guy peaking at me from the corner of the patio post.