Bug love (Boxelder style)
July 26, 2009
I belive these to be, Boisea trivitata. Having a little fun on my screen. Just outside, is a boxelder tree, where there are thousands more. Can’t tell which is male, and which is female. Can you help?
Terry
Mound, MN
Mating Boxelder Bugs
Hi Terry,
Thanks for sending us your photo of mating Eastern Boxelder Bugs. We almost never get submissions from people who know what they are, but rather they want the large congregations of insects in their yards identified. We are especially fond of some of the alternative names for Eastern Boxelder Bugs, including Democrat Bug, Populist Bug, Politician Bug. According to BugGuide: “Apparently these political terms are primarily used in the Central Plains states as I’ve seen references to such from KAN, NEB, & IOWA. “
I like This
Democrat bug? It doesn’t look like a donky to me. Any idea what this refers to? How it got that name?
Eastern Boxelder Bugs – we got an invasion in our backyard when we bought mulch a few years ago. These things are everywhere out there. It’s great to finally know what they are!!!! Now how do I get rid of them??? Anyone know?
Once they have mated where do the put/plant their eggs? Thanks for giving me the correct name of them.
According to BugGuide: “Eggs are laid in bark crevices or on foliage/seeds of host.”