#boxelder bug

Eastern Boxelder Bug - Boisea trivittata

I’ve developed a large stockpile of Boxelder Bug pictures to upload over the years, but despite how frequently I find them in my area, They’re some of the first insects to be food in the early spring (crawling in the leaf litter) and some of the last insects to grace the autumn (eventually making their way to the leaf littler); 2 generations make them easy to document and photograph. I’ve never sought to record them in motion. With today’s video, that changes. Taking a walk in a wooded area, I noticed that there were Boxelder Bugs galore! Not quite swarming, but there was tremendous activity on the goldenrod plants and in the dried grasses. Perhaps they were looking to secure territory and mating spots? The timeline would fit, and hopefully the nymphs are positioned near a suitable plant to satisfy them, While named after their host plant, it seems that maple tree juices are a source of food for them too! With this video, we can examine and observe how the insect moves on and reacts to the surfaces it struts along. While exploring the hand was a new experience for it, it seemed more than eager to return to the young goldenrods and hide from me. What interested me the most when revisiting the footage at home was how the insect’s antennae orient themselves when the Bug is on the move and at rest. It’s always sensing where to go next and getting a feel for its surroundings.

Video was recorded on May 19, 2022 with a Google Pixel 4. As well, B. trivittata will be known as the Eastern Boxelder Bug rather than just Boxelder Bug. This is to futureproof for later Boxelder Bug posts with new species. Prior posts have been adjusted to the reflect this change.