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:

Features Beetles (Coleoptera) True Bugs (Hemiptera)
Antennae Two Two
Legs Six Six
Hard shell (Elytra) Yes No
Wing type Elytra Hemelytra

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:

Features Asian Lady Beetles Boxelder Bugs
Appearance Red or orange with black spots Black with red stripes on wings
Size 0.28 to 0.4 inches (7 to 10 mm) 0.4 to 0.5 inches (11 to 14 mm)
Outdoor Habitat Leaves, flowers, gardens, feeding on pest insects Boxelder, ash, and maple trees, feeding on seeds
Indoor Issues Overwinter in homes, may produce unpleasant odor Overwinter in homes, don’t reproduce indoors but can be a nuisance

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.

Bug Diet Impact
Native Ladybug Aphids, other soft-bodied pests Beneficial, helps control pest populations
Scarlet Lily Leaf Beetle Lily plant leaves and flowers Damaging, harms lily plants
Jadera Haematoloma Seeds, especially from golden rain tree Neutral, generally not considered a major pest

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

Product/method Materials Needed Effectiveness Price
Insecticidal soap Soap, water Moderate Low
Sticky traps Traps, adhesive Moderate Low
Light traps Traps, light Moderate Low

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.

Beneficial Bugs Harmful Bugs
Pest control Crop damage
Pollination Disease spread

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

Red Shoulder Bug Aggregation
Red Shoulder Bug Aggregation

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.

Red Shoulder Bugs
Red Shoulder Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

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.

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

Red Shoulder Bugs

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

Red Shouldered Bugs
Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Immature Red Shoulder Bugs

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

Red Shouldered Bug
Red Shouldered Bug

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

Red Shouldered Bug
Red Shouldered Bug

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

Red Shouldered Bug
Seed Bug

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

Red Shouldered Bugs

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

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! 🙂

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

Red Shouldered Bugs Mating
Red Shouldered Bugs Mating

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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.

Red Shouldered Bug Nymph
Red Shouldered Bug Nymph

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Red Shoulder Bug Aggregation
Red Shoulder Bug Aggregation

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.

Red Shoulder Bugs
Red Shoulder Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

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.

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

Red Shoulder Bugs

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

Red Shouldered Bugs
Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Immature Red Shoulder Bugs

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

Red Shouldered Bug
Red Shouldered Bug

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

Red Shouldered Bug
Red Shouldered Bug

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

Red Shouldered Bug
Seed Bug

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

Red Shouldered Bugs

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

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! 🙂

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

Red Shouldered Bugs Mating
Red Shouldered Bugs Mating

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs
Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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.

Red Shouldered Bug Nymph
Red Shouldered Bug Nymph

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

Mating Red Shouldered Bugs

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

Red Shouldered Pine Borer

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 BugGuideCirrus 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

Immature Scentless Plant Bugs

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

Immature Scentless Plant Bugs

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

Scentless Plant Bug Nymphs

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

Immature Scentless Plant Bugs

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.

Red Shouldered Pine Borer

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.”

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

  • Piyushi Dhir

    Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

136 thoughts on “Black Bugs with Red Bottom: Identifying and Understanding these Intriguing Insects”

  1. AHAA! I have these appear each year on my prickly pear cactus here in central Texas. I usually hose them off with water. I’m glad they are not harmful to me, but I wonder about the cactus.

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  2. I just got these bugs two weeks ago and they showed up in the thousands from the neighbors yard. After 4 different insecticides we found dish detergent does work the best, but not after it dries. We put a bar of reg soap in the hose sprayer along with the dish detergent and this actually seemed to work better. I leave the bar in there and just add more dish soap when needed and they really aren’t but a few crawling around now and none on my house.

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    • Though they are not harmful, we are sure some of our readers find Red Shoulder Bugs to be a nuisance when they get plentiful. Though we do not endorse extermination of benign species, we will post your comment.

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  3. They must be migrating North, I live in Kansas and have them this year for the first time. As long as they are not hurting anything I will leave them for my toad that lives under my porch.

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    • I live in Iowa and just noticed them today in massive amounts all over my yard and drive way…….Very strange and kind of disturbing…

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    • just uncovered a hoard of them in my front landscape in Kansas. Never seen before in my life. so weird. doesn’t look like there’s any reason to kill them. Let the ecosystem work itself out. 😉

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  4. I live in Ohio and they are here too! They particularly are on both of my PVC downspouts… I do not know why? But I have to downspouts on the back of my house and both are PVC to take rain water further away from the house. Where the opening is on the PVC pipe, they hang out there…and seem to have multiplied quite fast like everyone is saying here… gonna try the soap trick! thank you!

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  5. I live in Indiana. This is the first year I’ve noticed them in droves. Annoying and plentiful. I’m trying the soap.

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    • I have found tons in my garden a common bug rid cure that is pet and people friendly is dish soap and hot sauce mixed with water this is safe to use on gardens and kills other pest too

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    • I live in Indiana as well, found a couple of areas in my flowers where there are maybe 20 all together. Not too bad yet!!!

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  6. Those look a lot like cotton stainers or Dysdercus suturellus which are common in central to south Florida. I would like to know more about Red Shouldered Bugs though.

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  7. So many beetles. Just captured a red shouldered pine beetle. What relation is it to its forest destroying cousins, and what damage does it do it any.??

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  8. Today is 1-18-14 I was sitting outside in my back yard and knowticed a bunch of these Red Shouldered Bugs! They’ve never been around my house before, but now they are. I’m wondering how can I keep them away from my house lol! And I’m also wondering if they bite, I’m not a big fan of biting bugs . If anyone has any ideas on how to repel them please let me know. Thanks for your time.
    ~Sarah~

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  9. I thought one of these was a lightening bug, so I picked it up to let it go outside. My finger feelsl ike it’s on fire! It’s also starting to swell.

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  10. I live in the foothills/farmland area of California and I (for the first time in 16 years) have them in my yard. At least I think they are the Red Shoulder Bugs. They seem to be living in old gopher holes, and come out once the sun comes up. There are thousands of them, reminds me of large red ants, but bigger. I am going to try the soap spray, it is a lot cheaper then the commercial insect sprays
    I found this site to be very helpful, thanks

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  11. I just found some of these in my yard. Since it’s the first year the rain tree has bloomed & seeded, I will leave them alone. Hopefully they won’t become a nuisance. Thank you for the helpful information.

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  12. Please don’t spray harmless insects. If you leave them alone they wll reach a balance. There are other creatures that will feed on them, and keep the numbers down.
    If you stop spraying altogether andi live with a few bugs you will notice how much healthier your yard will become. Let’s live and enjoy the wild creatures we share this wonderful planet Earth with, after all it’s their home too.

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    • Thanks for your earnest plea. Sadly, a large number of submissions to our site are alarmed folks who feel the need to lead bugless lives.

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    • NOTHING feeds on these things. They cover everything at my house in Port Richey, Florida. Brick planter walls, wooden fence, stone yard, etc. They love the heat from the sun. Started with one Rain Tree in neighbors yard and unfortunately these trees multiple easily.

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    • What are the other creatures that feed on them? I figure its better to have the bugs than to have to pull up thousands of young golden rain trees alll over my back yatd which is shingle stones

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  13. Hello,
    What an incredible site. I am in San Diego, and saw this unusual bug crawling in my driveway.
    And yes, it looked like to bugs stuck together at the rear. I did a quick search on the net, and it popped right up with a picture of the insect. (red Shoulder bug)
    Thank you,
    Nate

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  14. I’ve been seeing a lot of these around my Bakersfield, California home. Thank God they’re harmless! Maybe the birds will eat them.

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  15. How do you get rid of them? Recommended pesticides? We have been absolutely INUNDATED with them in our back yard. I’m talking THOUSANDS here.

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  16. I live in NE Kansas and have seen a large amount of these bugs around the front of my house. They seem to be living on and around fallen leaves and seed pods. I was concerned they would be harmful, but as they don’t seem to be trying to get inside my house I will just leave them be. Maybe the birds will feast on them.

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  17. I live in Mi and ive got those red bugs all over my siding on both sides of my back patio, they are such a pain I cant even open my slider to let in fresh air because there all over the place…. AAGGG im gonna try the soap idea and see if that helps…..

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  18. I live in New York. Just last week the City did some tree sprucing on my block. Yesterday my husband went to move our car that was parked under a tree. Thats when he noticed a swarm of red begs all over the car. That same day it rained real hard and there was no trace of them. The next morning I took a look to see if there were any trace of them and thats when I noticed some coming from under the hood. Im praying the car is not infested. So nervous.

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  19. I have small bunches of them in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sure glad to read that they are benign. Something along with the deer are chewing leaves off many of my veggie garden plants.

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  20. I saw one of these flying around inside my father’s house. My instinct was to kill the one I saw, which was about an inch long. I had never seen one before and it appeared to have the ability to sting, and there is someone living in the house who is allergic to bee stings. Can these insects sting, or would they sting? Should I be worried about my father’s house?

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  21. I usually get them every year but this year they seemed to have been really multiplying. I have thousands of them in my front yard. You can see a carpet of red under my grass and you can’t walk in my yard, driveway or walk way without stepping on them. In the evening they seem to like to come and hang out on the outdoor walls, which is really weird and becoming a nuisance. I don’t want to kill them, but I’m wondering if I spray the Stucco on the outside of my house with water and dish liquid will it keep them away from the walls at least? Any suggestions? Thanks.

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  22. Hi, we have them here in Canada, British Columbia too. Just wondering has anyone been able to actually find anywhere, any research or such that has been done to prove these little bugs don’t do any or cause any harm in anyway?? Just wondering?? If they don’t,… does anyone know what their actual purpose is?? Thank you! 🙂

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  23. I have an infestation of these in and on the outside of my garage. I have no plants in or around the garage area. I’m from Massachusetts, and have never seen these bugs anywhere else in the area. They also seem to attract stink bugs, is this common for my area? Any other advice would be helpful. Thanks.

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  24. I have lived in florida for 3 years and this is the first time i have seen these little red bugs. There are adults and tiny babies. They are outside on my concrete pavers. Hundreds. will try the Palmolive trick.

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    • Use soap water on them. It softens the shell of their bodies. It’s the only thing I found that works.
      I’ve had them for the last 3 years., but so far this spring I haven’t seen them yet. Thank god.
      They like the sap of a tree . I can’t remember the name of the tree though.

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  25. The Palmolive trick did not work for me. I removed the “Rain Tree” (which attracts them) and then had my pest control technician cover the area with “Intice Granular Bait” (available via eBay) and it worked very effectively. Try it. I think you’ll be impressed with the results. I derive no benefit from recommending “Intice Granular Bait” other than the joy of helping a fellow human being.

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  26. I found lots of them on my Yoshino Cherry Tree today. I have never seen them before.
    Bedford, VA
    June 1, 2016

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  27. I live in WV and this is the first year I have seen them. They are migrating on my picnic table for some reason. Will try the Palmolive. I sprayed with Ortho Home Defense and they just run. Very annoying.

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  28. these things are NOT benign, at least not here in ABQ, New Mexico. They are killing many of my garden plants, I have found them swarming on everything from sunflowers to carrots and perennial plants like grapes and oak seedlings. They literally suck them dry. I can provide photo documentation of all this. I think we have a lot more to learn about new insect dynamics as the climate changes and we introduce new species all over the place.

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  29. Hi: I live in New Jersey in Hamilton Township and just uncovered an alarming amount of what I discovered to be Red Shoulder Bugs. Was cuting large weeds away from my fence and they all popped out — hundreds of them. I will try the dishsoap.

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  30. I have them all over the place in Roanoke,Va.I’ll kill them because they are very annoying and there isn’t anything eating the ugly things.

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  31. I have them by the thousands here in Pa., I have had them before but not in this quantity. Since Dawn kills the stink bug, I am going to try that. When I walk outside they run up my legs and get very annoying.

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  32. Saw these bugs for the first time yesterday in the backyard (southeastern PA), today in the front yard. If they are benign, I’ll leave them alone but if they’re all over the place, I’ll be pulling out the dish soap!

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  33. I’m in western New York and we have 100s of thousands of these all over our lawn. We are trying to reduce these numbers only because we are so infested that no one wants to be in the back yard. We’re trying the dish soap now.

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  34. I’m in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and my backyard has exploded with them over the last few days..with reading the comments through the years on this site it appears the species is heading north.. gross.

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  35. Hi there,
    Can these be harmful in any way to chickens and/or their habitat? I have a Chinese Lantern tree that our run is centered around and they are everywhere, even in the coop and nesting boxes.

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    • To the best of our knowledge, they are not harmful to chickens, but we occasionally hear from chicken owners that chickens will not eat certain true bugs.

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  36. Hi there,
    Can these be harmful in any way to chickens and/or their habitat? I have a Chinese Lantern tree that our run is centered around and they are everywhere, even in the coop and nesting boxes.

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  37. I’m in Woodstock, Ontario.. WOW..!! I have so many of them.. they might not be harmless but I don’t wanna seat in my backyard and have them crawling all over me..

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  38. Yes, they have been hatching in swarms in the last week from under our gazebo in Welland, Ontario , Canada. They are creepy but we are happy to hear they are benign. Thankfully they seem to have dissipated in the last few days. Yuck!

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  39. We have a few acres out in Wainfleet, Ontario and have these things by the thousands. They seem to be hanging around our fire pit and the maple tree that over shadows it and no where else. (knock on wood…) Some days I will see clusters as large as dinner plates and other days just a few hundred scattered around wandering. This is the first year I have seen them but it may have been from the hotter than normal summer. We are supposed to have a very cold winter and maybe this will drastically reduce their numbers for next year.

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  40. Hi. These bugs are also in Australia Brisbane Area. and must be associated with the Golden rain tree. the neigbour has had one removed but there are still millions breeding faster than rabbits. The picture above shows how bad they are . It is like this but worse on my side fence. I would like to thin them out a bit maybe I could spray the fence with something?

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  41. I wish I had a way to upload my pics. I’m not sure if this is what I have or not but they sure look similar. They are in clusters all over my barn walls. I’ve been here for 8 years and have never seen these before. They seem to be multiplying very quickly. We had a freeze last night and there seems to be even more of them on the walls today.

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  42. I firmly disagree. I have an infestation of the jadera, red shouldered, golden rain tree, soapberry bugs and they are destroying my newly planted (1 year now) xeriscape garden. I don’t believe entomologists (nor botanists for that matter) know enough about the bugs. They may not bite humans and yes, they do eat the berries (and everything else) which keeps little golden rain trees from blooming, but they seem to have a symbiotic relationship with other garden pests where they work together to sustain their survival and destroy any beautiful flora that is in their way. I lift up any pile of leaves all throughout my garden and they are there overrunning my garden. Plants, like red yucca, and blue chalk stick that are almost impossible to kill are falling prey to these pests. More research needs be to be done before they are called harmless. They are anything but.

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  43. I have had these for years now, and I now see that their growing numbers coincide with the growing number of volunteer raintrees by my house! They have never hurt anything. I don’t use any toxins or soaps on my lawn or trees and my yard is healthy even when neighboring treated lawns look puny. I was just curious why I had box elder beetles when I haven’t any box elders etc. Now I know I actually have red shouldered beetles. Thanks for the informative site.

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  44. These red shouldered bugs reached my garden in Collingwood, Ontario this past summer, and yes they multiplied by the thousands seemingly overnight. Water sprays only disperse them for a few hours. Unfortunately, now we are having a rather mild winter and they are invading the house…everywhere! Only a few each day, but nowhere is sacred. I find them in the bathroom, the coffee maker, and last night even one in my bed…not pleasant! I will try soap sprays in the garden as soon as they appear again outside, but any suggestions of ridding them from the house?

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  45. These bugs I have them in my property in australia, they are all through my horse hay and all over my plants, my only question is, is my horse safe to still eat his hay with them on there?

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  46. I am in australia too and am dreading the autumn when my neighbours tree will shed its leaves. There will be seeds all over the shingle in my rainforest back yard followed by millions of bugs.

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  47. I live in New Port Richey fl and have these bugs in my lawn and mulch. I have used rid a bug and it doesn’t seem to work. I just found one in my house. Disgusting. I will use them dish soap and see if that helps. There are millions of them. I have never seen these bugs in my life.

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    • Obviously, John, you do not have to deal with these red-shouldered bugs. They are invasive and are eating of my plants (especially my succulents). They are now all over my driveway and like to hang out under my doormat. They have infested my neighbors’ yards. I can not turn over a leaf without finding hundreds of them. I dread the day they make it inside my home as Maureen stated has happened. These bugs need to be studied. Not enough is known about them. They are anything but harmless.

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  48. Just discovered these in NE Atlanta, GA. Started as a small adult colony on the side of my house one evening. Didn’t think anything of it except how creepy it was, but now, a couple of weeks later, they (and all their red babies) are in my lawn and pine straw, at the base of my trees, in my herbs, Lily’s, ferns and are trying to take over my berry patch!! I’ve been in this house over 15 years & never have seen them before. We had a mild winter and have been fairly dry, until the April rains came in, so that may have had something to do with the recent infestation?…

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  49. Correction: pretty certain I have box elder bugs verses red shoulder bugs from their markings (they are very similar in appearance and we have quite a few Japanese Maples in the neighborhood which they tend to like).

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  50. I have them all over the place…..never noticed them before….I live in Clermont fl…they have started finding their way into my screen area. Then a few inside my house. I have to try some bug spray….outside they are fine but when they start getting in—it’s time to take steps to stop them…..so before you judge me…..let me put some inside your home….

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  51. Just to let you know it is now June and we have had a lot if rain in New Port Richey the past few weeks and the bugs seemed to have vanished. I also racked the yard very well and sprayed soapy water all over. They seemed to have vanished. I had put red mulch down and wonder if they were in the mulch? Anyway they are gone. I hope they don’t come back again.

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  52. Box elder/Red shoulder, whichever they are…they have arrived in Northern Virgina in abundance too; as well as those “nasty” Chiggers!
    Unfortunately, neither of these pests are any longer foreign to us. Chiggers are taking an ugly toll on family & pets ?

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  53. Just found a pair in Boscawen, New Hampshire. Made my day! Sad to say…more action than I’ve seen in a long time!!!

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  54. I was amazed when I saw these all over one hosta (out of several) and had never seen these before, at least not in such numbers. I’m in NW Indiana and I was worried it was some type of stink bug nymph (d@mn those BMSBs!). Weird. After reading comments, strange that so many people are reporting their first sightings all at once. Always see quite a few box elder bugs but never these.

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  55. Welcome to Canada! Just found them on our fence. Not a huge amount but they have maybe just arrived! Thanks for the advise on how to get rid of them. Dish soap it is.

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  56. Welcome to Australia, Queensland where it is winter and my back garden (shingle and palms) is Now covered in leaves and seeds from the Golden Rain Tree from hell. Waiting to see if the Spring unleashes saplings and bugs!

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  57. I am in Davis County, Utah and I am finding hundreds of these bugs in the dirt next to my Blackberry bushes on a fence line. I have gardened for years and never seen these. I will try the soap sprays…Any other suggestion are welcome.

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    • I too found them in my yard in Loveland , Ohio. I sprayed them with spectracide . I think some bugs are being transported by all the stores that are now selling garden plants in huge quantities. The big box stores and grocery stores.

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  58. We call them love bugs here in Florida. They seem to swarm around everywhere during mating season…so many dead on car windshields, etc., but they are harmless.

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  59. Live in burnham 20 mins away from Chicago them things are all over my garage front and back i used bug stop spray supposed to kill on contact but it takes a min

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  60. In Orange County NY and these guys swarm all sides of our house. Windows are covered with these guys. It’s like something out of a movie. We we go outside from any door they swarm around us. They get into the house. This summer we doubled the size of our deck. Maybe it’s the new wood. Also many neighbors have farms and this area is surrounded by trees. So could be that too. We have been using dish soap every other day. Seems these guys are sophisticated enough to fly away while we spray and come back a few monitors after we are done spraying. If it wasn’t for the fact they swarmed our actual home we’d leave them be. Having these buggers attach to our clothes and hair is more than a nuisance.

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  61. I live in South Africa and we have tons of them in our garden. Multiplying very fast. Also tried lots of things but so far unsuccesful.

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  62. These bugs are now the are unnatural they don’t belong in Florida I don’t know who introduced them. I want my seeds in my yard don’t eat my seeds devil bug. They are all over Florida I work on a lot of properties in Florida born and raised this is new and total crap. We need them all gone. Don’t tolerate these alien pets.

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  63. I tried everything nothing worked and after few years I finally found it, a friend told me to buy Demand CS and it works!! You won’t find it at regular stores only online, they are all gone now, I can finally enjoy my backyard now

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  64. I’m in SE Iowa and have them in the wood mulched area under a maple tree. Also living in the rock mulch in the adjoining area. There are hundreds! First time to ever see them. Would like to know if they can damage the hostas around that tree.

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  65. I live in New Port Richey Fl. I had them last year in my mulch. I have not seen any so far this year but my neighbor had all his trees trimmed and I have racked up all leaves. I used the soap last year and then this past winter had a freeze. So far so good. They are disgusting. I have also sprayed bug killer all over and this might have helped. I hope they don’t come back.

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  66. Well just this past week I have noticed them in my tard here in Michigan. I was spraying for weeds and they just came running like crazy. Hundreds of them. All in my flower beds mulch and rock. They are everywhere!

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  67. Found them in my yard today in Ft worth Texas. I’ve been gardening over 40 years and never seen them before. I panicked. Thought they were baby ticks or something. Totally freaked me out because of my little dog.Thank God they won’t hurt him. I’m sorry but I don’t want more of them. If I don’t see the birds chowing down on them they’re getting sprayed. They are in my Evening Primrose.

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  68. We have these in California and I think we have a golden rain tree out front along with some palm trees. Both drop seeds and they don’t seem to be picky about which seed is which. They come out of no where one day there’s nothing there and the next there’s thousands. They supposedly have wing but you never see them fly, great climbers. Prior to this year I have killed them off with some really strong lavender hair freshener. They were over populating and getting into the house. The cat was afraid of them too. They like to hang out in big clumps of five plus. This year I didn’t have the spray so I’ve been squishing them. I’m not one to do this but they are ugly and over populated and watching them walk around butt to butt mating is incredibly irratating. Luckily the spiders also make a good meal out of them.

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  69. I am a Florida native and w call them “Love Bugs” because of their CONSTANT MATING”(whilst mid-flight,lucky little bugs). They may be benign to the environment but not to your vehicle, which consequently is. Within minutes of driving down the road, no matter how clean or new it may be, your radiator is covered in a black sheet of bug Massacre! Therefore, clogging up your radiator and causing it to overheat which is already a difficulty here in Florida because of the high temperatures. They also gather on your windshield within minutes and do not come off with a wiper whether you have windshield fluid or not. Therefore, causes many accidents from failure to see ahead of you. I am a lover of all of God’s creatures but this bug should be, in my opinion, considered an invasive pest.

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  70. Just discovered colonies here in Oregon’s Willamette Valley this summer…as much as I love my Golden Chain Tree, I’m thinking it may not be worth all the bug horror stories I’m reading! Gah!

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  71. Finally! No one could tell us what these bugs are. We have tons of them! Are there any natural repellents? I don’t want to exterminate, just control the population so I don’t step on them every day on the porch. We’re redoing our landscaping so if there are plants or beneficial bugs we can add to help keep them in check I’d like to do so. Thank you!

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  72. My next door neighbors cut down a tree recently. And now they’re all over our house. Will they leave eventually? If not, how do i get rid of them? Tea tree essential oil only drives them away for 24 hours.

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  73. twin cities Mn, they appeared this spring. have always had lots of box elders but the red shoulder bugs are newcomers. I let them be for a while but after seeing how quickly they multiplied discovered a little dish soap mixed with distilled white vinegar via spray bottle neutralizes them in seconds. they seem to be attracted to and congregate on anything red(organic or inorganic) and the wasps/hornets find them quite tasty

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