Black Bugs with Red Bottom: Identifying and Understanding these Intriguing Insects

Black bugs with red bottoms are an interesting and striking group of insects often seen during specific months of the year. These bugs, known as Jadera bugs, can be found in various regions, including Central Florida, where they tend to appear in peak numbers between March and May [^1^]. These insects may catch your attention due to their unique coloration, which features predominantly black bodies with distinct red markings.

Jadera bugs measure about 1/3 to ½ inches long and 1/10th inch wide, with adult bugs sporting wings [^1^]. The adults have black bodies with red eyes, shoulder areas, and borders around their abdomens, while the nymphs, or young bugs, display mostly reddish coloration with black midsections and antennae [^1^]. Although they may seem peculiar, these colorful insects are generally harmless and provide an interesting look into the diverse world of insects.

Identifying Black Bugs with Red Bottoms

Physical Characteristics

• Color: Black body with a red bottom
• Legs: Six legs
• Antennae: Two antennae
• Hard shell: Elytra covers wings

Black bugs with red bottoms are a type of insect belonging to the Order Coleoptera, which includes beetles. They are easily identifiable by their distinct physical characteristics. These insects have a black body with a red bottom, six legs, and two antennae.

Another group of bugs with red and black coloring are true bugs (Order Hemiptera), which have different characteristics compared to beetles. Some similarities and differences are shown in the table below:

Common Species

1. Red and black beetle: a popular example of black bugs with red bottoms in the Order Coleoptera
2. Boxelder bug: a common species of true bugs with similar coloring, belonging to the Order Hemiptera

Some examples of black bugs with red bottoms include the red and black beetle, which is a type of beetle belonging to the Order Coleoptera. Another example is the boxelder bug, a species of true bugs with similar red and black markings, belonging to the Order Hemiptera. These two groups of insects can be distinguished by looking at their specific physical features, such as the presence or absence of elytra and the type of wings they possess.

Habitats and Behaviors

Outdoor Habitats

Black bugs with red bottoms can be found in various outdoor habitats including leaves and grass. During summer, these insects may be attracted to flowers and water sources. They typically lay their eggs in areas such as rocks, debris, or on plants like boxelder trees and ash trees.

Some common black bugs with red bottoms include:

• Asian lady beetles
• Boxelder bugs
• Firebugs
• Red-striped black beetles

While some of these species, like the Asian lady beetle, are helpful in controlling pests, others may become a nuisance, such as boxelder bugs.

Indoor Infestations

Indoor infestations can occur when these bugs find their way into homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, or even on plants brought indoors. During fall, they may seek shelter from the colder weather and overwinter in homes or other structures. For example, Asian lady beetles and boxelder bugs may enter homes in search of a warm place to overwinter.

Preventative Measures:

• Installing screens on doors and windows
• Sealing cracks in the foundation and around openings
• Removing debris, weeds, and removing or trimming boxelder trees near the house
• Using insecticidal soap on infested plants

Comparing Asian Lady Beetles and Boxelder Bugs:

As we can see from the table above, while these bugs share some similarities, they have distinct characteristics that determine their impact on homes and gardens.

Feeding and Diet Preferences

Black bugs with red bottoms are often seen in gardens and outdoor spaces. They are known to feed on a variety of plants and small insects.

Food choices:

• Adults: consume seeds, smaller insects, and plant matter
• Nymphs: typically feed on similar foods as adults, but in smaller quantities

Examples of black bugs with red bottoms include the native ladybug and the scarlet lily leaf beetle. Their feeding preferences can impact the plants they inhabit.

Native Ladybug:

• Beneficial insect
• Feeds on aphids and other soft-bodied pests
• Can help keep plants healthy

Scarlet Lily Leaf Beetle:

• Pest to lily plants
• Consumes leaves and flowers
• Can cause significant damage to lilies

These bugs use their powerful jaws to break down their food. Jadera haematoloma is another example of a black bug with a red bottom. It prefers seeds, particularly from the golden rain tree.

Remember, feeding and diet preferences vary among black bugs with red bottoms. It’s essential to identify the specific bug to understand its impact on plants and other insects.

Prevention and Control Measures

Outdoor Prevention

• Keep the area around your home clean and free of debris. Remove piles of leaves, rocks, and wood to reduce potential hiding places for black beetles.
• Control weeds and maintain lawns to limit the habitat for boxelder nymphs and beetle pests.
• Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s siding or foundation with caulk to prevent entry.
• Install screens on windows and doors to keep pests out.

For example, a well-maintained lawn would help to reduce the number of hiding spots for pests such as boxelder nymphs and native ladybugs, while also denying entry to nuisance black bugs with red bottoms.

Indoor Control

• Regularly vacuum indoor areas to remove pests and their eggs.
• Use insecticidal soap or soapy water solution to clean surfaces where pests might be present.
• Implement DIY pest control methods such as sticky traps or light traps.

Pros of DIY Indoor Control:

• Cost-effective
• Environmentally friendly
• Minimal use of harmful chemicals

Cons of DIY Indoor Control:

• May require more effort
• Possible lower effectiveness compared to professional control

Product Comparison Table

Impact on Humans and Animals

Bites and Aggressiveness

• Red and black bugs, such as beetles and weevils, are common during warm days in March and April.
• Some species may bite, while others are not aggressive.

Although most red and black bugs are non-aggressive, some may bite humans and animals if disturbed. However, bites are generally not severe and may cause mild irritation.

Flying bugs of this coloration might be confused with aggressive species, but many are simply attracted to plant matter.

Beneficial vs. Harmful Bugs

Beneficial Bugs:

• Help control pests
• Pollinate plants

Harmful Bugs:

• Damage crops
• Spread diseases

Some examples of beneficial red and black bugs include certain types of beetles that prey on other insects, aiding in pest control. On the other hand, harmful red and black bugs—like weevils—may damage crops or infest stored food.

It’s essential to distinguish between these two types of red and black bugs to avoid harming beneficial species while controlling the harmful ones.

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Red Shoulder Bugs: Aggregation of alarming proportions

red bugs taking over my yard
December 8, 2009
I have red and black bugs that seem to mulitply by the day. I tried poison but it did not work. Maybe it was the wrong poison but don’t know what to get because I don’t know what the bug is. Please help, they reproduce faster than rabbits!
Afton
Orlando Florida

Hi Afton,
You have an aggregation of immature Red Shoulder Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and according to BugGuide, they can emerge in alarmingly large swarms.  Adults have black wings that cover the red abdomens that are visible in the nymphs.   They are also called Goldenrain Tree Bugs because they feed on the seeds of the goldenrain tree.  Another common host plant in Florida is the balloonvine.  BugGuide also indicates that the peak population period in Florida is May.  BugGuide indicates:  “Widespread southern species, in same family as the Boxelder Bug. Often associated with the introduced Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata; family Sapindaceae) but is apparently a native insect.  …. The bug is probably more widespread than formerly, following the distribution of the cultivated tree.”  Red Shoulder Bugs may become a nuisance because of their numbers, but they are benign insects.

Letter 2 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Stuck-together butt bug
Location: San Marcos, CA
April 28, 2014 12:31 pm
Hi bugman,
I was taking a walk yesterday in San Marcos, CA (just north of San Diego) and found an odd bug. It looked like two bugs stuck together at their bums. Their bums were red (can’t really tell by the photo…sorry). I thought it might have been just two bugs stuck together but a few paces down the road I saw 2 more like this. It looks like one of the bodies is bigger and it moves in the forward direction that the bigger bodied bug would move. Hope this is enough helpful info to figure out what this is. Thanks!!
Signature: Chloe

Hi Chloe,
Adult Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, are frequently found in the mating position.

Letter 3 – Red Shouldered Bug, not Red Butt Bug

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

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.

Letter 4 – Red Shoulder Bugs

pesty bug similar to love bug
Location:  Birmingham, Alabama
October 4, 2010 11:27 am
This bug is about to run me out of my house in Birmingham, Alabama. It looks similar to a love bug, but is very plump with a red body. I have heard somewhere that it is attracted to the seed of my Chinese lantern tree. It is basically a year round pest, but especially bad during the summer. It seems to love the heat and direct sun. Although it helps, the exterminator has not been able to get rid of it.
Signature:  Jill

Hi Jill,
You have Red Shoulder Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and though you consider them to be a nuisance that needs to be eradicated, they are not a harmful species.  According to BugGuide, they are found in : “Yards, gardens, riparian areas, and other areas, in association with host plants. Often in large aggregations to feed on leaking tree sap, other dead smashed insects, or seeds that have dropped to the ground from trees overhead. Also forming aggregations in winter to hibernate, often in association with human residences.”  BugGuide also notes: “‘J. haematoloma feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) which grows in southern Florida. Additional hosts include other Sapindaceae, Acer spp. (Aceraceae or Sapindaceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are observed feeding so often on goldenrain tree seeds (Koelreuteria spp.; Sapindaceae), that they are referred to as ‘goldenrain tree bugs’.’ – Frank Mead and Thomas Fasulo, University of Florida.”  It would seem that if you cannot tolerate the presence of Red Shoulder Bugs, your efforts would be better spent removing the plants that are attracting them rather than to continue to spend money on exterminators whose efforts will also kill many beneficial creatures during the indiscriminate spraying of toxins in your yard.

Letter 5 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Red and black shelled bug
Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 2:11 PM
We live in San Antonio, Texas. Since early March, we have been noticing these strange bugs crawling around near our back porch and in our back garden. They’ve been hanging out on our nascent basil bush, though they don’t seem to have actually nibbled a the basil yet. (Perhaps they don’t like pesto?) Does anyone know what these pesky creatures might be called? What environmentally responsible steps can we take to remove them from our premises?
Aaron
San Antonio, Texas

Dear Aaron,
The most puzzling aspect of your photo of mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, is that the female does not appear to have fully developed wings. This indicates that she is still an immature nymph. Red Shouldered Bugs may be a nuisance when they appear in large aggregations, but they will not harm the plants in your garden. According to BugGuide, it is found in: “yards and gardens, often in large aggregations to feed on seeds that have dropped to the ground from trees overhead ” and “”J. haematoloma feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) which grows in southern Florida. Additional hosts include other Sapindaceae, Ficus spp. (Moraceae) and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are observed feeding so often on goldenrain tree seeds ( Koelreuteria spp.; Sapindaceae), that they are referred to as ‘goldenrain tree bugs’.” – Frank Mead and Thomas Fasulo, University of Florida .” The species is also known as the Golden Rain Tree Bug because of its association with that plant. We do not offer extermination advice, especially with regards to benign species. We will contact Eric Eaton to see if he has an opinion on the underage female involved in mating activity.

Update: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:39:27 -0700 (PDT)
Hi, Daniel:
Many members of the “true bugs” suborder Heteroptera exhibit what scientists call “polymorphism” when it comes to wing growth.  Some individuals or populations will have shortened or otherwise non-functional wings while others will be fully-winged.  I’ve never heard of Jadera displaying that phenomenon, but I’m also not surprised by it.
Eric
P.S.  Did I tell you I’m blogging now?  Feel free to link to anything there that you might find useful, or even reprint it on WTB:
http://bugeric.blogspot.com

Letter 6 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Identification of beetle
Location: Glendale, CA
October 29, 2013 8:34 pm
Hello,
I am a Biology professor at Glendale College in California, and one of my students sent me this nice photo of beetles mating. I’ve tried to identify them but can’t find anything that looks right. Thanks for your help. I believe the photograph was taken on our campus in Glendale, CA this week (October 2013).
Best,
Maria Kretzmann
Signature: Maria Kretzmann

Hi Maria,
These are not beetles.  They are mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and they are in the Scentless Plant Bug family Rhopalidae.  See BugGuide for additional information.

Letter 7 – Immature Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject:  Red Bugs
Geographic location of the bug:  Florida
Date: 03/15/2019
Time: 03:01 PM EDTYour letter to the bugman:  I have no idea what these are, the only leads I have are Goldenrain Tree bugs, and they don’t match the description of one.
How you want your letter signed:  Ichneumon Wasp

Dear Ichneumon Wasp,
We concur that these are immature Red Shoulder Bugs, also known as Goldenrain Tree Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, which are pictured on BugGuide.

Letter 8 – Red Shouldered Bug

Subject: Black and red beetle with wings
Location: La Cañada Flintridge, CA
September 18, 2015 9:34 pm
This was found mid-September in La Cañada, CA. They are all over my school. I don’t know what it is!!
Signature: Teacher

Dear Teacher,
This is a Red Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma, and they sometimes form huge aggregations of 1000s of individuals.

Letter 9 – Red Shouldered Bug

Subject: My Nephew would like to know what this is.
Location: Southern California (Whittier)
September 26, 2015 10:50 pm
Hi! So, I had just picked up my nephew from Kindergarten, when we spotted this little guy scurrying around on the sidewalk. My nephew thought it was the coolest thing, but when he asked me what it was, I couldn’t give him an answer. I would love to know what this is, because once he finds out, he’ll want to look up videos of it on YouTube lol. Thanks a bunch for your time!
Signature: Auntie Alex

Dear Auntie Alex,
The Red Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma, is also known as the Goldenrain Tree Bug because that common landscaping tree produces seeds eaten by the Red Shouldered Bug.  This species often forms large aggregations when feeding.

Letter 10 – Seed Bug

Subject: Is this an assassin bug?
Location: Big Bend of Texas, Chihuahuan Desert
July 27, 2014 6:08 am
Thanks for all you folks do! I’m hoping you can help me identify what bug has been invading my house for the past couple weeks. We live in the Chihuahuan Desert, on the southwest edge of Texas. We have lots of interesting bugs, including the kissing bug called the conenose which can carry the parasite T. cruzi (causes Chagas disease).
The small bug that has been “blooming” lately resembles the conenose, but the body shape isn’t quite right and the sides are solid red, instead of striped. I’m hoping you will be able to identify this bug — and I’m also hoping it isn’t an assassin bug! We have been sweeping them up and tossing them outside daily, but it feels like bailing out the ocean!
Signature: Sara

Hi Sara,
The Red Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma, is a Scentless Plant Bug in the family Rhopalidae, not an Assassin Bug, so you do not have to worry about bites.  Though they are benign, they do have the habit of entering homes, sometimes in great numbers.  According to BugGuide, they are also called Goldenrain Tree Bugs, and perhaps you have a tree in your garden that is attracting them.  BugGuide states:  “Adults and larvae tend to feed in groups, and favor developing seeds and fruits of their favored hosts, but will also suck sap from foliage, flowers, buds, or oozing stems. They feed on a variety of plants primarily in and related to the family Sapindaceae. Favorites include Balloonvine (Cardiospermum species) and Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria sp.), both in Sapindaceae, and they regularly use Soapberry (Sapindus sp.; Sapindaceae) and Maple/Boxelder (Acer sp.; Aceraceae). Additionally, reported on a variety of other plants, especially feeding on fruit, including Chinaberry (Melia azedarach; Meliaceae), Fig (Ficus spp.; Moraceae), Althaea (Malvaceae), Plum, Cherry, & Peach (Prunus sp.; Rosaceae), Apple (Malus sp.; Rosaceae), Grape (Vitis sp.; Vitaceae), Ash (Fraxinus sp.; Oleaceae), etc. Adults sometimes gather around human food leftovers and other smashed insects to feed as well.”

Correction:  Melacoryphus lateralis
We just received a comment that leads us to believe we misidentified this Seed Bug with no common name, Melacoryphus lateralisBugGuide, which is pictured on .

Letter 11 – Red Shouldered Bug

What’s this bug?
I have a bunch of these bugs in my backyard, I was wondering what they are, I couldn’t find them on your site. Thanks,
Pat
Tampa, FL

Hi Pat,
These are Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma. The adults have wings that cover the bright red of the abdomen. Like Boxelder Bugs, the Red Shoulder Bugs also form aggregations.

Letter 12 – Red Shouldered Bugs

Red Bugs
Bugman,
I see that you guys are SWAMPED, guess all the critters come out in the spring time! We have lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years and have never seen this many of these little bugs! In fact, i can’t really remember even noticing them at all before this year. They display some very interesting behaviors to me, I’m not a big bug watcher so these guys have really grabbed my attention as of late. Found your site today and thought I’d snap a few shots to see if you could identify them for me. Seems like they REALLY like the seeds put off by a few trees in our yard, they swarm them in masses. Also looks like they are at least partialy carnivorous, included a shot of what looks like a few of them “sucking” another one dry. Maybe you could shed some light on these extreamly prolific but seemingly laid back little red bugs. Thanks, by the way, your site is great… will keep my eye out for other interesting little insects.
Honey Girl

Hi Honey Girl,
We jumped to the conclusion prematurely that these were Boxelder Bugs, but after seeing the adults, we realize they are Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma. The metamorphosis image of the nymph shedding its skin is awesome.

Letter 13 – Red Shouldered Bugs

red shouldered bugs?
Location: central oklahoma
January 26, 2011 7:29 pm
We are buying a house and these bugs are all over the north side of the house and the sheds outside in the yard. The house sits on 2 acres, though it is right in town and off the highway. We noticed them in Jan while doing the inspection and the real estate agent said the bugs were there when she sold the house to the previous couple 6 years ago and while they are really bad outside they usually don’t come inside. They are starting to become a problem in the dining room which is the room along the north side of the house. Any help?
Signature: Pestered home buyer

Dear Pestered home buyer,
We do not give extermination advice.  While they may be a nuisance indoors, Red Shoulder Bugs are benign.  Anyone purchasing a house of two acres of property is going to find a thriving ecosystem of insects and other creatures that were there first.  Red Shoulder Bugs can become quite plentiful if one of their host plants is nearby.  According to BugGuide, Red Shouldered Bugs are found in  “Yards, gardens, riparian areas, and other areas, in association with host plants. Often in large aggregations to feed on leaking tree sap, other dead smashed insects, or seeds that have dropped to the ground from trees overhead. Also forming aggregations in winter to hibernate, often in association with human residences.”  BugGuide identifies the following host plants:  “feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) in so. FL and other Sapindaceae, Acer spp. (Aceraceae or Sapindaceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are observed feeding so often on goldenrain tree seeds (Koelreuteria, Sapindaceae).”  Perhaps a maple or goldenrain tree were planted too close to the house.  Weather proofing the house might also reduce the number of indoor visitors because Red Shouldered Bugs are a species that hibernates in sheltered areas in colder climates.  This just might be a deal breaker in the home sale transaction.

Letter 14 – Red Shoulder Bugs: Mating and earlier instars

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

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! 🙂

Letter 15 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Unidentified beetle
Location: San Diego
October 11, 2013 3:03 pm
can you tell me what this beetle is? What it eats and what will kill it? It seems to have infested my yard; especially around my rose bushes. It doesn’t appear to be eating any leaves, but maybe it’s eating the roots. Where the beetles are located, the entire rose bed is dying. The adult is about 1/2 long. The baby is about 1/8 long and is reddish in color. The adult has red eyes, dark gray wings and a red body.
Signature: Perry

Hi Perry,
These are mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and they are benign creatures, though they can be a nuisance when they are plentiful since they form aggregations and they sometimes enter homes when the weather cools down.

Thank you, Daniel.  I appreciate the response.  I’ll stop trying to eradicate them since they are harmless to my roses.  They’re probably dying for some other neglect on my part.
Perry

Letter 16 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: wingless love bugs?
Location: Fresno, California
February 11, 2014 2:34 am
For years there’s been a love bug population at the elementary school near my house, and yet most of them dont have wings. Many have black markings similar or very deformed wings. Before I knew what they we’re I assumed that the females were the ones with wings (like ants). Many smaller ones look like little red tear drops with legs, which as kids we assumed where the babies. Are we right on any of this, and why would the majority of them lack wings.
Signature: confused kindergartners

Dear confused kindergartners,
These are mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and the female is the larger of the two.  The smaller wingless individuals are immature nymphs.  Red Shouldered Bugs often gather together in large aggregations that include adults as well as nymphs.  See BugGuide for additional information on Red Shouldered Bugs.  For the record, most female ants are wingless.  The worker ants in a colony are all sterile, wingless females.  Flying Ants or Alates are winged reproductive adults of both sexes.

Letter 17 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Florida insect
Location: Orlando, FL
February 20, 2014 11:07 am
Hi, bugman. I’ve noticed these critters around my house in Orlando for a while now. I hate to kill anything unless I have to, so I left them alone. This morning, though, I noticed that there were dozens of them, and that they were hanging around the birdhouse the previous tenant had left (I’ve lived here about a year). The birdhouse is on a pole attached to the deck and is not in use right now, which I’m grateful for, since I have a cat. There’s an old nest in the birdhouse, and I think the bugs were living in it. I’m planning to take the birdhouse apart and remove the next soon, then put the birdhouse somewhere cats can’t get it. Anyway, there were so many bugs that I was horrified and sprayed them all with bug spray. I took this photo a week or so ago. Obviously, the bugs are mating. So what are they, and what do they do?
Signature: Karen in Orlando

Dear Karen,
These mating Red-Shouldered Bugs are actually quite benign, however they may become a nuisance if they are plentiful.

Letter 18 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Bug Identification, Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA, (Aspen & 23rd Sts)
August 31, 2016 8:13 am
Hi Bugman,
These bugs are all over the ground under trees and shrubs in our Philadelphia neighborhood. None of us have ever noticed them before but now they’re profuse under the shrubbery and trees surrounding a block-size parking lot. They look like they’re mating (picture 1) but I’ve also seen signles. And there are tiny versions (picutre 2).
Thanks for solving our mystery. We’re all stumped!
Merrill Mason
Fairmount neighborhood, Philadelphia
Photos taken at 6pm, August 30, 2016
Signature: Merrill Mason

Dear Merrill,
Your images are an excellent documentation of both adult mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and an immature, wingless nymph.  This is a species known for gathering in large aggregations.  According to BugGuide:  “Adults and larvae tend to feed in groups, and favor developing seeds and fruits of their favored hosts, but will also suck sap from foliage, flowers, buds, or oozing stems. They feed on a variety of plants primarily in and related to the family Sapindaceae. Favorites include Balloonvine (Cardiospermum species) and Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria sp.), both in Sapindaceae, and they regularly use Soapberry (Sapindus sp.; Sapindaceae) and Maple/Boxelder (Acer sp.; Aceraceae). Additionally, reported on a variety of other plants, especially feeding on fruit, including Chinaberry (Melia azedarach; Meliaceae), Fig (Ficus spp.; Moraceae), Althaea (Malvaceae), Plum, Cherry, & Peach (Prunus sp.; Rosaceae), Apple (Malus sp.; Rosaceae), Grape (Vitis sp.; Vitaceae), Ash (Fraxinus sp.; Oleaceae), etc. Adults sometimes gather around human food leftovers and other smashed insects to feed as well.”  Because of the preferred host tree, they are sometimes called Goldenrain Tree Bugs.

Letter 19 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject:  Red and Black beetles
Geographic location of the bug:  Corona, CA
Date: 02/18/2018
Time: 03:48 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I have seen these beetles en masse during late winter through mid spring for years and haven’t seen a clear answer in my searches.  There was hundreds of these near the bushes and a downed and mulched tree (although the tree had been taken down quite some time ago).
How you want your letter signed:  KJS

Dear KJS,
These are not beetles.  They are Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and your image depicts both a mating pair and an immature nymph.  According to BugGuide, the habitat is:  “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.”

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Red Shoulder Bugs: Aggregation of alarming proportions

red bugs taking over my yard
December 8, 2009
I have red and black bugs that seem to mulitply by the day. I tried poison but it did not work. Maybe it was the wrong poison but don’t know what to get because I don’t know what the bug is. Please help, they reproduce faster than rabbits!
Afton
Orlando Florida

Hi Afton,
You have an aggregation of immature Red Shoulder Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and according to BugGuide, they can emerge in alarmingly large swarms.  Adults have black wings that cover the red abdomens that are visible in the nymphs.   They are also called Goldenrain Tree Bugs because they feed on the seeds of the goldenrain tree.  Another common host plant in Florida is the balloonvine.  BugGuide also indicates that the peak population period in Florida is May.  BugGuide indicates:  “Widespread southern species, in same family as the Boxelder Bug. Often associated with the introduced Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata; family Sapindaceae) but is apparently a native insect.  …. The bug is probably more widespread than formerly, following the distribution of the cultivated tree.”  Red Shoulder Bugs may become a nuisance because of their numbers, but they are benign insects.

Letter 2 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Stuck-together butt bug
Location: San Marcos, CA
April 28, 2014 12:31 pm
Hi bugman,
I was taking a walk yesterday in San Marcos, CA (just north of San Diego) and found an odd bug. It looked like two bugs stuck together at their bums. Their bums were red (can’t really tell by the photo…sorry). I thought it might have been just two bugs stuck together but a few paces down the road I saw 2 more like this. It looks like one of the bodies is bigger and it moves in the forward direction that the bigger bodied bug would move. Hope this is enough helpful info to figure out what this is. Thanks!!
Signature: Chloe

Hi Chloe,
Adult Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, are frequently found in the mating position.

Letter 3 – Red Shouldered Bug, not Red Butt Bug

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

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.

Letter 4 – Red Shoulder Bugs

pesty bug similar to love bug
Location:  Birmingham, Alabama
October 4, 2010 11:27 am
This bug is about to run me out of my house in Birmingham, Alabama. It looks similar to a love bug, but is very plump with a red body. I have heard somewhere that it is attracted to the seed of my Chinese lantern tree. It is basically a year round pest, but especially bad during the summer. It seems to love the heat and direct sun. Although it helps, the exterminator has not been able to get rid of it.
Signature:  Jill

Hi Jill,
You have Red Shoulder Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and though you consider them to be a nuisance that needs to be eradicated, they are not a harmful species.  According to BugGuide, they are found in : “Yards, gardens, riparian areas, and other areas, in association with host plants. Often in large aggregations to feed on leaking tree sap, other dead smashed insects, or seeds that have dropped to the ground from trees overhead. Also forming aggregations in winter to hibernate, often in association with human residences.”  BugGuide also notes: “‘J. haematoloma feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) which grows in southern Florida. Additional hosts include other Sapindaceae, Acer spp. (Aceraceae or Sapindaceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are observed feeding so often on goldenrain tree seeds (Koelreuteria spp.; Sapindaceae), that they are referred to as ‘goldenrain tree bugs’.’ – Frank Mead and Thomas Fasulo, University of Florida.”  It would seem that if you cannot tolerate the presence of Red Shoulder Bugs, your efforts would be better spent removing the plants that are attracting them rather than to continue to spend money on exterminators whose efforts will also kill many beneficial creatures during the indiscriminate spraying of toxins in your yard.

Letter 5 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Red and black shelled bug
Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 2:11 PM
We live in San Antonio, Texas. Since early March, we have been noticing these strange bugs crawling around near our back porch and in our back garden. They’ve been hanging out on our nascent basil bush, though they don’t seem to have actually nibbled a the basil yet. (Perhaps they don’t like pesto?) Does anyone know what these pesky creatures might be called? What environmentally responsible steps can we take to remove them from our premises?
Aaron
San Antonio, Texas

Dear Aaron,
The most puzzling aspect of your photo of mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, is that the female does not appear to have fully developed wings. This indicates that she is still an immature nymph. Red Shouldered Bugs may be a nuisance when they appear in large aggregations, but they will not harm the plants in your garden. According to BugGuide, it is found in: “yards and gardens, often in large aggregations to feed on seeds that have dropped to the ground from trees overhead ” and “”J. haematoloma feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) which grows in southern Florida. Additional hosts include other Sapindaceae, Ficus spp. (Moraceae) and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are observed feeding so often on goldenrain tree seeds ( Koelreuteria spp.; Sapindaceae), that they are referred to as ‘goldenrain tree bugs’.” – Frank Mead and Thomas Fasulo, University of Florida .” The species is also known as the Golden Rain Tree Bug because of its association with that plant. We do not offer extermination advice, especially with regards to benign species. We will contact Eric Eaton to see if he has an opinion on the underage female involved in mating activity.

Update: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:39:27 -0700 (PDT)
Hi, Daniel:
Many members of the “true bugs” suborder Heteroptera exhibit what scientists call “polymorphism” when it comes to wing growth.  Some individuals or populations will have shortened or otherwise non-functional wings while others will be fully-winged.  I’ve never heard of Jadera displaying that phenomenon, but I’m also not surprised by it.
Eric
P.S.  Did I tell you I’m blogging now?  Feel free to link to anything there that you might find useful, or even reprint it on WTB:
http://bugeric.blogspot.com

Letter 6 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Identification of beetle
Location: Glendale, CA
October 29, 2013 8:34 pm
Hello,
I am a Biology professor at Glendale College in California, and one of my students sent me this nice photo of beetles mating. I’ve tried to identify them but can’t find anything that looks right. Thanks for your help. I believe the photograph was taken on our campus in Glendale, CA this week (October 2013).
Best,
Maria Kretzmann
Signature: Maria Kretzmann

Hi Maria,
These are not beetles.  They are mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and they are in the Scentless Plant Bug family Rhopalidae.  See BugGuide for additional information.

Letter 7 – Immature Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject:  Red Bugs
Geographic location of the bug:  Florida
Date: 03/15/2019
Time: 03:01 PM EDTYour letter to the bugman:  I have no idea what these are, the only leads I have are Goldenrain Tree bugs, and they don’t match the description of one.
How you want your letter signed:  Ichneumon Wasp

Dear Ichneumon Wasp,
We concur that these are immature Red Shoulder Bugs, also known as Goldenrain Tree Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, which are pictured on BugGuide.

Letter 8 – Red Shouldered Bug

Subject: Black and red beetle with wings
Location: La Cañada Flintridge, CA
September 18, 2015 9:34 pm
This was found mid-September in La Cañada, CA. They are all over my school. I don’t know what it is!!
Signature: Teacher

Dear Teacher,
This is a Red Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma, and they sometimes form huge aggregations of 1000s of individuals.

Letter 9 – Red Shouldered Bug

Subject: My Nephew would like to know what this is.
Location: Southern California (Whittier)
September 26, 2015 10:50 pm
Hi! So, I had just picked up my nephew from Kindergarten, when we spotted this little guy scurrying around on the sidewalk. My nephew thought it was the coolest thing, but when he asked me what it was, I couldn’t give him an answer. I would love to know what this is, because once he finds out, he’ll want to look up videos of it on YouTube lol. Thanks a bunch for your time!
Signature: Auntie Alex

Dear Auntie Alex,
The Red Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma, is also known as the Goldenrain Tree Bug because that common landscaping tree produces seeds eaten by the Red Shouldered Bug.  This species often forms large aggregations when feeding.

Letter 10 – Seed Bug

Subject: Is this an assassin bug?
Location: Big Bend of Texas, Chihuahuan Desert
July 27, 2014 6:08 am
Thanks for all you folks do! I’m hoping you can help me identify what bug has been invading my house for the past couple weeks. We live in the Chihuahuan Desert, on the southwest edge of Texas. We have lots of interesting bugs, including the kissing bug called the conenose which can carry the parasite T. cruzi (causes Chagas disease).
The small bug that has been “blooming” lately resembles the conenose, but the body shape isn’t quite right and the sides are solid red, instead of striped. I’m hoping you will be able to identify this bug — and I’m also hoping it isn’t an assassin bug! We have been sweeping them up and tossing them outside daily, but it feels like bailing out the ocean!
Signature: Sara

Hi Sara,
The Red Shouldered Bug, Jadera haematoloma, is a Scentless Plant Bug in the family Rhopalidae, not an Assassin Bug, so you do not have to worry about bites.  Though they are benign, they do have the habit of entering homes, sometimes in great numbers.  According to BugGuide, they are also called Goldenrain Tree Bugs, and perhaps you have a tree in your garden that is attracting them.  BugGuide states:  “Adults and larvae tend to feed in groups, and favor developing seeds and fruits of their favored hosts, but will also suck sap from foliage, flowers, buds, or oozing stems. They feed on a variety of plants primarily in and related to the family Sapindaceae. Favorites include Balloonvine (Cardiospermum species) and Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria sp.), both in Sapindaceae, and they regularly use Soapberry (Sapindus sp.; Sapindaceae) and Maple/Boxelder (Acer sp.; Aceraceae). Additionally, reported on a variety of other plants, especially feeding on fruit, including Chinaberry (Melia azedarach; Meliaceae), Fig (Ficus spp.; Moraceae), Althaea (Malvaceae), Plum, Cherry, & Peach (Prunus sp.; Rosaceae), Apple (Malus sp.; Rosaceae), Grape (Vitis sp.; Vitaceae), Ash (Fraxinus sp.; Oleaceae), etc. Adults sometimes gather around human food leftovers and other smashed insects to feed as well.”

Correction:  Melacoryphus lateralis
We just received a comment that leads us to believe we misidentified this Seed Bug with no common name, Melacoryphus lateralisBugGuide, which is pictured on .

Letter 11 – Red Shouldered Bug

What’s this bug?
I have a bunch of these bugs in my backyard, I was wondering what they are, I couldn’t find them on your site. Thanks,
Pat
Tampa, FL

Hi Pat,
These are Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma. The adults have wings that cover the bright red of the abdomen. Like Boxelder Bugs, the Red Shoulder Bugs also form aggregations.

Letter 12 – Red Shouldered Bugs

Red Bugs
Bugman,
I see that you guys are SWAMPED, guess all the critters come out in the spring time! We have lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years and have never seen this many of these little bugs! In fact, i can’t really remember even noticing them at all before this year. They display some very interesting behaviors to me, I’m not a big bug watcher so these guys have really grabbed my attention as of late. Found your site today and thought I’d snap a few shots to see if you could identify them for me. Seems like they REALLY like the seeds put off by a few trees in our yard, they swarm them in masses. Also looks like they are at least partialy carnivorous, included a shot of what looks like a few of them “sucking” another one dry. Maybe you could shed some light on these extreamly prolific but seemingly laid back little red bugs. Thanks, by the way, your site is great… will keep my eye out for other interesting little insects.
Honey Girl

Hi Honey Girl,
We jumped to the conclusion prematurely that these were Boxelder Bugs, but after seeing the adults, we realize they are Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma. The metamorphosis image of the nymph shedding its skin is awesome.

Letter 13 – Red Shouldered Bugs

red shouldered bugs?
Location: central oklahoma
January 26, 2011 7:29 pm
We are buying a house and these bugs are all over the north side of the house and the sheds outside in the yard. The house sits on 2 acres, though it is right in town and off the highway. We noticed them in Jan while doing the inspection and the real estate agent said the bugs were there when she sold the house to the previous couple 6 years ago and while they are really bad outside they usually don’t come inside. They are starting to become a problem in the dining room which is the room along the north side of the house. Any help?
Signature: Pestered home buyer

Dear Pestered home buyer,
We do not give extermination advice.  While they may be a nuisance indoors, Red Shoulder Bugs are benign.  Anyone purchasing a house of two acres of property is going to find a thriving ecosystem of insects and other creatures that were there first.  Red Shoulder Bugs can become quite plentiful if one of their host plants is nearby.  According to BugGuide, Red Shouldered Bugs are found in  “Yards, gardens, riparian areas, and other areas, in association with host plants. Often in large aggregations to feed on leaking tree sap, other dead smashed insects, or seeds that have dropped to the ground from trees overhead. Also forming aggregations in winter to hibernate, often in association with human residences.”  BugGuide identifies the following host plants:  “feeds on a variety of plants but prefers balloonvine (Cardiospermum spp.; Sapindaceae) in so. FL and other Sapindaceae, Acer spp. (Aceraceae or Sapindaceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae), and Althaea spp. (Malvaceae). In some areas the bugs are observed feeding so often on goldenrain tree seeds (Koelreuteria, Sapindaceae).”  Perhaps a maple or goldenrain tree were planted too close to the house.  Weather proofing the house might also reduce the number of indoor visitors because Red Shouldered Bugs are a species that hibernates in sheltered areas in colder climates.  This just might be a deal breaker in the home sale transaction.

Letter 14 – Red Shoulder Bugs: Mating and earlier instars

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

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! 🙂

Letter 15 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Unidentified beetle
Location: San Diego
October 11, 2013 3:03 pm
can you tell me what this beetle is? What it eats and what will kill it? It seems to have infested my yard; especially around my rose bushes. It doesn’t appear to be eating any leaves, but maybe it’s eating the roots. Where the beetles are located, the entire rose bed is dying. The adult is about 1/2 long. The baby is about 1/8 long and is reddish in color. The adult has red eyes, dark gray wings and a red body.
Signature: Perry

Hi Perry,
These are mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and they are benign creatures, though they can be a nuisance when they are plentiful since they form aggregations and they sometimes enter homes when the weather cools down.

Thank you, Daniel.  I appreciate the response.  I’ll stop trying to eradicate them since they are harmless to my roses.  They’re probably dying for some other neglect on my part.
Perry

Letter 16 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: wingless love bugs?
Location: Fresno, California
February 11, 2014 2:34 am
For years there’s been a love bug population at the elementary school near my house, and yet most of them dont have wings. Many have black markings similar or very deformed wings. Before I knew what they we’re I assumed that the females were the ones with wings (like ants). Many smaller ones look like little red tear drops with legs, which as kids we assumed where the babies. Are we right on any of this, and why would the majority of them lack wings.
Signature: confused kindergartners

Dear confused kindergartners,
These are mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and the female is the larger of the two.  The smaller wingless individuals are immature nymphs.  Red Shouldered Bugs often gather together in large aggregations that include adults as well as nymphs.  See BugGuide for additional information on Red Shouldered Bugs.  For the record, most female ants are wingless.  The worker ants in a colony are all sterile, wingless females.  Flying Ants or Alates are winged reproductive adults of both sexes.

Letter 17 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Florida insect
Location: Orlando, FL
February 20, 2014 11:07 am
Hi, bugman. I’ve noticed these critters around my house in Orlando for a while now. I hate to kill anything unless I have to, so I left them alone. This morning, though, I noticed that there were dozens of them, and that they were hanging around the birdhouse the previous tenant had left (I’ve lived here about a year). The birdhouse is on a pole attached to the deck and is not in use right now, which I’m grateful for, since I have a cat. There’s an old nest in the birdhouse, and I think the bugs were living in it. I’m planning to take the birdhouse apart and remove the next soon, then put the birdhouse somewhere cats can’t get it. Anyway, there were so many bugs that I was horrified and sprayed them all with bug spray. I took this photo a week or so ago. Obviously, the bugs are mating. So what are they, and what do they do?
Signature: Karen in Orlando

Dear Karen,
These mating Red-Shouldered Bugs are actually quite benign, however they may become a nuisance if they are plentiful.

Letter 18 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject: Bug Identification, Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA, (Aspen & 23rd Sts)
August 31, 2016 8:13 am
Hi Bugman,
These bugs are all over the ground under trees and shrubs in our Philadelphia neighborhood. None of us have ever noticed them before but now they’re profuse under the shrubbery and trees surrounding a block-size parking lot. They look like they’re mating (picture 1) but I’ve also seen signles. And there are tiny versions (picutre 2).
Thanks for solving our mystery. We’re all stumped!
Merrill Mason
Fairmount neighborhood, Philadelphia
Photos taken at 6pm, August 30, 2016
Signature: Merrill Mason

Dear Merrill,
Your images are an excellent documentation of both adult mating Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and an immature, wingless nymph.  This is a species known for gathering in large aggregations.  According to BugGuide:  “Adults and larvae tend to feed in groups, and favor developing seeds and fruits of their favored hosts, but will also suck sap from foliage, flowers, buds, or oozing stems. They feed on a variety of plants primarily in and related to the family Sapindaceae. Favorites include Balloonvine (Cardiospermum species) and Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria sp.), both in Sapindaceae, and they regularly use Soapberry (Sapindus sp.; Sapindaceae) and Maple/Boxelder (Acer sp.; Aceraceae). Additionally, reported on a variety of other plants, especially feeding on fruit, including Chinaberry (Melia azedarach; Meliaceae), Fig (Ficus spp.; Moraceae), Althaea (Malvaceae), Plum, Cherry, & Peach (Prunus sp.; Rosaceae), Apple (Malus sp.; Rosaceae), Grape (Vitis sp.; Vitaceae), Ash (Fraxinus sp.; Oleaceae), etc. Adults sometimes gather around human food leftovers and other smashed insects to feed as well.”  Because of the preferred host tree, they are sometimes called Goldenrain Tree Bugs.

Letter 19 – Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

Subject:  Red and Black beetles
Geographic location of the bug:  Corona, CA
Date: 02/18/2018
Time: 03:48 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I have seen these beetles en masse during late winter through mid spring for years and haven’t seen a clear answer in my searches.  There was hundreds of these near the bushes and a downed and mulched tree (although the tree had been taken down quite some time ago).
How you want your letter signed:  KJS

Dear KJS,
These are not beetles.  They are Red Shouldered Bugs, Jadera haematoloma, and your image depicts both a mating pair and an immature nymph.  According to BugGuide, the habitat is:  “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.”

Letter 20 – Red Shouldered Pine Borer

Beetle
Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia
September 13, 2011 7:17 pm
I found this beetle on my windshield when I was cycling around the farms in the Sumas prairies in Abbotsford, British Columbia. I particularly loved the red back and the striped antennae.
Signature: Frenchie

Hi Frenchie,
Using BugGuide, it didn’t take us long to identify this Longhorned Borer Beetle or Longicorn in the family Cerambycidae as the Red Shouldered Pine Borer, Stictoleptura canadensis.  There is more than one color form and this is the red form.  There isn’t any information the info page on BugGuide.  Cirrus Image has a nice informative page illustrated with the red shouldered version of the Red Shouldered Pine Borer.

Letter 21 – Immature Scentless Plant Bugs

Subject:  Can figure this bug out
Geographic location of the bug:  In Virginia
Date: 10/05/2017
Time: 05:16 PM EDT
Ive done everything to find out what this bug is please help me
How you want your letter signed:  Alyssa

Dear Alyssa,
These are Scentless Plant Bugs, Niesthrea louisianica, and they have no common name.  They are frequently found feeding on Rose of Sharon.

Letter 22 – Immature Scentless Plant Bugs

Subject:  What is this bug?
Geographic location of the bug:  North Carolina
Date: 12/27/2017
Time: 06:59 PM EDT
My nephew found this bug and is very curious about it.
How you want your letter signed:  Deanna Money

Dear Deanna,
These immature Scentless Plant Bugs, Niesthrea louisianica, have no species specific common name.  They are frequently found on Rose of Sharon as your image documents.

Letter 23 – Immature Scentless Plant Bugs

Subject:  What is this?
Geographic location of the bug:  NB, Canada
Date: 08/19/2019
Time: 03:56 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hello!
I came across this cluster of bugs today, all clumped together on a leaf. I’ve never seen this type before. It is mid-August, and a nice warm 27 degrees outside. Hoping you can help!
How you want your letter signed:  Thank you! Val

Dear Val,
These are Niesthrea louisianica, immature Scentless Plant Bugs from the family Rhopalidae with no common name.  Here is a BugGuide image for comparison.  According to BugGuide:  “hosts include Hibiscus and other Malvaceae; feeds on flower buds and seeds; an important biocontrol agent of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti).”

That’s wonderful! Thank you for the swift reply. Is it common to have them in New Brunswick, Canada?

BugGuide only reports the genus as far north as Maryland, so this range expansion might be a result of global warming.

Letter 24 – Red Shouldered Pine Borer

Subject: Unknown beetle
Location: Avalon Pinensula of Newfoundland
July 30, 2012 7:24 am
Hi,
My friend found this over the weekend and was wondering what type of beetle it is. When she found it she said it looked to be borrowing through some wood. I think she is afraid of any damage that it may cause.
Signature: Curious Friend.

Dear Curious Friend,
Using BugGuide, we identified this Longhorned Borer Beetle as a Red Shouldered Pine Borer, Stictoleptura canadensis, and it is one of the Flower Longhorns in the subfamily Lepturinae.   Adults feed on nectar and pollen and the larvae are wood borers.  Your friend does not need to worry about damage to her home.  According to the family page on BugGuide:  “Most species feed within dead, dying or even decaying wood, but some taxa can use living plant tissue.”