Tiny Little Guys
Location: Maryland
November 21, 2011 11:33 pm
Hi: I saw quite a few of these little guys around my garden this summer, in both of the colors shown. Not sure if it is the same bug that gradually changes color as it ages, or if the color is a gender difference, etc. They are about 1/4” long.
Thanks.
Signature: Barbara Thurlow
Tarnished Plant Bug
Hi Barbara,
In our attempt to identify your True Bug, we found this nymph of a Plant Bug on in the family Miridae on BugGuide that looks similar to your nymph, so we now suspect you have a Plant Bug which warrants additional research prior to posting. We believe we have correctly identified this as a Tarnished Plant Bug, Lygus lineolaris, based on photos and text on BugGuide. According to BugGuide: “nymphs and adults feed on cotton, soybeans, and more than 50 other crops, plus commercially-grown flowers, fruit trees, forest tree nurseries, and weeds (Over half of the US cultivated plant species are listed as host plants for tarnished plant bugs(2))” and it is described as: “Adult: a pale yellow “Y” shape on the scutellum is the most notable feature; elytra vary in color from light to dark brown; cuneus usually yellowish or clear, with a small black spot at the tip; color and markings vary between sexes and between overwintering and summer adults. Nymph: yellowish-green with 4 black dots on the back.” The spots are visible in your photo of the nymph.
Tarnished Plant Bug Nymph
BugGuide also notes that it is: “The most common plant bug in the US”
Tarnished Plant Bug
¶ Posted 22 November 2011 § ‡ ° Coleoptera on Asclepias subverticillata
Location: Socorro County, NM
September 26, 2011 2:56 pm
Hi!
Just discovered this site; very awesome. Here’s a picture of some beetles on a Horsetail Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata). This was in Socorro County, New Mexico, on September 16th. Just wondering what they were…
Signature: JB
Bordered Plant Bug Nymphs
Dear JB,
These are not beetles. They are Bordered Plant Bug nymphs in the genus Largus based on this photo posted to BugGuide. We were not aware that Bordered Plant Bugs fed on milkweed.
1
Big red bugs crawl out of tiny blue/black bugs!
Location: Douglas, southeast Arizona
September 23, 2011 2:12 pm
Howdy, I’ve gotten lots of rolling eyes, and shouts of ”that’s impossible!” when I try to tell people about these bugs. Long story short: maybe 2 years ago, I was taking photos of this group of tiny, shiny-bodied blue/black bugs that had been crawling on my fence. I noticed they were slowing down and eventually came to a stop, in different places. Next thing I knew, this red head and body starting coming out of the body of one of the tiny bug!! Could not believe what I was seeing! The size difference, and the fact that the tiny bugs were mobile just a few minutes earlier, creeped me out. So, of course, I got off a few shots…have absolutely no idea why I didn’t take more. I know a couple came out blurry.
I’ve seen these tiny bugs this year in my garden, but they disappeared before I could collect some to see if they would pull an ”Alien” for me and my camera this time:)
I didn’t know what size the pics should be…they were sent in jpeg; let me know if that needs changing. I hope this is a really rare, but known, sight so I can know I was truly seeing what I thought I was seeing. Thanks! Love your site!
Signature: Lori – Arizona
Bordered Plant Bug Nymphs
Hi Lori,
What you witnessed is amazing, but not at all unusual or rare. You witnessed insect metamorphosis. We believe the blue-black bugs are immature Bordered Plant Bugs in the genus Largus, a conclusion we reached upon comparing your photo to this image on BugGuide. Often when a true bug molts, the newly emerged insect is a reddish color, but that will soon darken as the exoskeleton hardens.
Molting Bordered Plant Bug
1
¶ Posted 24 September 2011 § ‡ ° red but bug
Location: North florida
August 15, 2011 5:41 pm
These are absolutely everywhere around my home. in this pic they are swarming an acorn. My question is are they detrimental? I cant say ive noticed any damage they’ve caused, but I sure would lile to know the correct common name instead of what my son has named them…red butts
Signature: bugged
Red Shouldered Bug
Dear bugged,
Your son has the correct name, just the wrong body part. Though they do have red butts, the shoulders are considered to be the diagnostic red feature on these Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma. There are Scentless Plant Bugs and they are considered to be benign, though something of a nuisance if they are very plentiful. BugGuide indicates that they are found in: “Yards, gardens, riparian areas, and other areas in association with hostplants. Often found in large aggregations feeding on leaking tree sap, dead insects, or seeds that have fallen from trees overhead. Also forms aggregations in winter to hibernate, often in association with human residences.” Regarding food, BugGuide indicates: “Feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) in southern FL and other Sapindaceae, Acer spp. (Aceraceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are often observed feeding on goldenrain tree seeds (Koelreuteria, Sapindaceae) Nymphs and adults suck juices primarily from seeds of boxelder trees, but also suck juices from fruits of other trees (e.g., plum, cherry, apple, peach, grape, chinaberry, western soapberry, ash and maple).” Seems we can add acorns to the list thanks to your observations. Because of their association with the tree, they are sometimes called Goldenrain Tree Bugs.
¶ Posted 15 August 2011 § ‡ ° Bug invasion!
Location: Guthrie, Oklahoma
July 10, 2011 11:55 am
These bugs are everywhere in my yard. Can you please tell me what they are & how i can get rid of them? I’m pretty sure they plan on killing my trees!
Signature: Brandy
Red Shoulder Bugs
Hi Brandy,
You have Red Shoulder Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, a species of Scentless Plant Bug. Though they can be a nuisance when they are plentiful, they will not really harm your trees since they feed on seeds. According to BugGuide: “Feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) in southern FL and other Sapindaceae, Acer spp. (Aceraceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are often observed feeding on goldenrain tree seeds (Koelreuteria, Sapindaceae) Nymphs and adults suck juices primarily from seeds of boxelder trees, but also suck juices from fruits of other trees (e.g., plum, cherry, apple, peach, grape, chinaberry, western soapberry, ash and maple). (TX)“ What we especially like about your photograph is that in addition to showing several pairs of mating winged adults, there are also several distinct earlier immature instars visible.
Thank you very much for the information. No one else has been able to tell me what they are! I’m glad you liked the pictures! 
¶ Posted 10 July 2011 § ‡ ° Red Bug
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
June 26, 2011 7:19 pm
The bugs have been crawling around our front walk along a garden filled with vinca ground cover. Some move very quickly, scampering across the concrete bricks, while others gather in clumps. They have been around for more than a week, and I can see that they have about doubled in size.
The start out as a bright red-orange in leg and body color, gradually developing the darker body and legs It looks as if they are developing wings, and I am guessing that the red bumps on the head are eyes. From head to tail, they measure between 1/4” and 1/2”, at least so far.
I’d like to know what they are and whether they are beneficial or harmful to my garden and house.
Signature: lloyd
Boxelder Bug Nymphs
Hi Llyod,
We already responded to three previous requests from today for Boxelder Bug Nymph identifications, and with your letter, we decided we needed to post a letter with photos. Coincidentally, your photos were also the best. Boxelder Bugs will not harm your home or garden, though they do feed upon the seeds of boxelder and other maples. They are more of a nuisance than a problem, especially when they are extremely numerous. They also seek shelter indoors when the weather begins to cool.
Boxelder Bug Nymphs
Plant bug ID
Location: Hyampom, CA
May 25, 2011 1:25 am
Hello,
I am trying to ID this little guy. It was found in Northern California near the Oregon border. It hasn’t caused any plant damage that I can see.
It resembles a Boxelder bug but has no x marking on its back. Everything else seems the same (color, shape and size).
Do you have any idea what it might be?
Thanks in advance.
Signature: Steve
Bordered Plant Bug
Hi Steve,
Your mistaking this individual for a Boxelder Bug is understandable. It is a Bordered Plant Bug, most likely Largus californicus. According to BugGuide, it feeds upon: “Mostly plants (flowers, leaves, fruit) from a range of families, with a preference for Lupines. L. californicus is not considered a “pest species” of economic importance.” We will be going through our archive to find some nice high resolution images of this Bordered Plant Bug to use in our presentation at the Theodore Payne Foundation this Saturday.
¶ Posted 25 May 2011 § ‡ ° red/orange eyed bugs
Location: northcentral Texas
May 21, 2011 5:13 pm
These bugs/beetles were crawling around the sidewalk and rocks at Elm Fork Nature Preserve in Carrollton, Texas. I believe it was summer and they have been spotted in dry fallen leaves at Hagerman NWR in Sherman, Texas also.
Signature: Brenda Loveless
Red Shouldered Bug
Hi Brenda,
You encountered an aggregation of Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, also known as Goldenrain Tree Bugs. The winged individual is an adult, and the individual with more red markings is an immature nymph. Red Shouldered Bugs often form large aggregations. You may read more about the Red Shouldered Bug on BugGuide.
Red Shouldered Bug Nymph.
¶ Posted 21 May 2011 § ‡ ° 
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