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{{short description|Species of insect}}
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The '''boxelder bug''' ('''''Boisea trivittata'''''), also called '''box bug''', '''maple bug''' or, inaccurately, '''box beetle''', is a species of [[Hemiptera|true bug]] native to eastern [[North America]].
==Etymology==
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Trivittata is from the Latin ''tri'' (three) + ''vittata'' (banded).
==Biology and description==
The adults are about {{convert|13|mm|in}} long with a dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen, with dark red eyes; [[Nymph (biology)|nymphs]] are bright red.<ref>Göllner-Scheiding, U. (1983): General-Katalog der Familie Rhopalidae (Heteroptera). Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin 59, 37–189.</ref>
Boxelder bugs feed almost entirely on the developing seeds of boxelder, [[maple]], and [[ash tree]]s.<ref name="U of M"/>
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==Taxonomy and similar species==
The eastern boxelder bug is sometimes confused with insects belonging to the [[genus|genera]] ''[[Jadera]]
They may also be confused with the western boxelder bug (''[[Boisea rubrolineata]]'') which are near relatives in the same genus.
The name "stink bug", which is more regularly applied to the family [[Pentatomidae]], is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to ''Boisea trivittata''. Instead, boxelder bugs belong to the family [[Rhopalidae]], the so-called "scentless plant bugs". However, boxelder bugs are strong-smelling and to discourage predators will release a pungent and bad-tasting compound upon being disturbed. This allows them to form conspicuous aggregations without being preyed on.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aldrich |first1=J.R. |last2=Carroll |first2=S.P. |last3=Oliver |first3=J.E. |last4=Lusby |first4=W.R. |last5=Rudmann |first5=A.A. |last6=Waters |first6=R.M. |title=Exocrine secretions of scentless plant bugs: ''Jadera'', ''Boisea'' and ''Niesthrea'' species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) |journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |date=1990 |volume=18 |issue=5 |pages=369–376 |doi=10.1016/0305-1978(90)90010-D}}</ref>
Boxelder bugs are also sometimes confused with milkweed bugs, genus ''[[Lygaeus
==Range==
Boxelder bugs are a [[native species]] in [[North America]]
The current range of this species covers the eastern [[United States]], southern [[Canada]], [[Mexico]], and south into [[Guatemala]]. <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Faúndez |first1=Eduardo I. |last2=Carvajal |first2=Mariom A. |last3=Sarmiento |first3=Carolina |title=Detection of the boxelder bug ''Boisea trivittata'' (Say, 1825) (Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) in Chile |journal=Heteroptera Poloniae – Acta Faunistica |date=2020 |volume=14 |pages=125–126 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.3934435 |url=http://hetpol.wpt.uni.opole.pl/?smd_process_download=1&download_id=1922 |doi-access=free}}</ref> There have also been many sightings of them in [[South Africa]], but there is a high chance that these individuals are a part of the species [[Boisea fulcrata]], another related species.
In 2020, this species was introduced as a non-native species in [[Chile]] and is becoming an [[invasive species]] in that region.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Faúndez |first1=Eduardo I. |last2=Carvajal |first2=Mariom A. |last3=Sarmiento |first3=Carolina |title=Detection of the boxelder bug ''Boisea trivittata'' (Say, 1825) (Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) in Chile |journal=Heteroptera Poloniae – Acta Faunistica |date=2020 |volume=14 |pages=125–126 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.3934435 |url=http://hetpol.wpt.uni.opole.pl/?smd_process_download=1&download_id=1922 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The introduction follows the use of maple trees as ornamental plantings.
==Overwintering, sometimes in homes==
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Boxelder bugs are not universally considered pests within their native range. Boxelder bugs are harmless to people and pets.<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/>
During certain times of the year boxelder bugs cluster together in large groups while [[Sunning (behaviour)|sunning]] themselves on warm surfaces near their host tree<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/> (e.g. on rocks, [[shrubs]], trees, and man-made structures).
This is especially a problem in the fall when they are seeking a warm place to [[overwintering|overwinter]].<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/> Large numbers are often seen congregating on houses seeking an entry point.<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/>
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Their outdoor congregation habits and indoor excreta deposits are perceived as a nuisance by some people, therefore boxelder bugs are often considered pests in those contexts.<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/>
The removal of boxelder trees and maple trees can help control boxelder bug populations, but
Providing ample native woodland or other natural landscape helps Boxelder bugs overwinter without becoming a nuisance, along with helping many other species within the same [[ecosystem]] such as [[ground bees]] also native to North America.
==Relationship to agriculture and gardening==
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==Predation by other animals==
[[Spider]]s and [[cat]]s are minor predators,<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/> but because of the boxelder bug's [[Chemical defense#Invertebrates|chemical defenses]] few birds or other animals will eat them.<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/> Boxelder bug populations are not affected by any major diseases or [[Parasitism|parasites]].<ref name="Alan H. Roe"/>
==Gallery
<gallery>
File:Adult and nymph Boxelder Bugs.jpg
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