About Boisea trivittata (Say, 1825)
Boisea trivittata, commonly called the eastern boxelder bug, has the following description and biology. Adult eastern boxelder bugs reach around 13 millimetres (0.51 inches) in length. Their base body color is dark brown or black, broken up by red markings on the abdomen and red wing veins, and they have dark red eyes. Nymphs of this species are bright red. Eastern boxelder bugs feed almost exclusively on the developing seeds of boxelder, maple, and ash trees. They feed, lay eggs, and complete their development on boxelder trees, and are most commonly found on female boxelder trees since these trees produce seeds. The species prefers feeding on seeds, but it will also suck sap from leaves. They are often seen on maple trees, because these trees also produce the seeds they eat. Eastern boxelder bugs spend the winter in plant debris, in protected human-inhabited areas, or in other suitable sheltering structures. Eastern boxelder bugs are a species native to North America. Its current native range spans the eastern United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and extends south into Guatemala. There have been many reported sightings of this species in South Africa, but it is very likely that these sighted individuals actually belong to Boisea fulcrata, a different closely related species. In 2020, Boisea trivittata was accidentally introduced to Chile, where it has become an invasive species in the country's central region, especially around Santiago. This introduction is linked to the use of maple trees as ornamental plants in Chilean residential areas and suburbs.
