Boxelder
Dec 29, 2020 11:00:49 #
This is my preserved Boxelder Bug that I staged for a focus stacking session which is a member of the True Bug family identified by its proboscis rather than having mandibles and other chewing and biting mouthparts. I tend to find several different species of True Bugs in my area.
They are related to cicadas (those noisey buggers!), aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, bed bugs (egads!) and shield bugs such as stink bugs (which are also quite abundant here). Boxelder bugs have a flat, elongated-oval shape with black and red-orange markings on their backs and they have fire red eyes which can be seen in this specimen. They predominately feed on the seeds of the boxelder trees — hence their name — but can be found in and around maple and ash trees, too.
Like me, they do not like the cold weather so they seek warmer places to overwinter and they may gather in numbers. If they cluster in your home you may notice that they have left a stain and that there is an odor which is why they may be confused with stink bugs.
They are related to cicadas (those noisey buggers!), aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, bed bugs (egads!) and shield bugs such as stink bugs (which are also quite abundant here). Boxelder bugs have a flat, elongated-oval shape with black and red-orange markings on their backs and they have fire red eyes which can be seen in this specimen. They predominately feed on the seeds of the boxelder trees — hence their name — but can be found in and around maple and ash trees, too.
Like me, they do not like the cold weather so they seek warmer places to overwinter and they may gather in numbers. If they cluster in your home you may notice that they have left a stain and that there is an odor which is why they may be confused with stink bugs.
Dec 30, 2020 07:51:58 #
Dec 30, 2020 10:11:51 #
ecobin wrote:
Excellent stack Gary.
Thanks, it's nice to know that you enjoyed seeing it.
Dec 30, 2020 23:21:47 #
Another nice stack. I like the detail. Question..... How do you keep your insects so clean?
Dec 31, 2020 10:38:34 #
naturepics43 wrote:
Another nice stack. I like the detail. Question..... How do you keep your insects so clean?
Thanks, and that's an important factor for insects are true trash collectors. I blow them first with a camera air-puffer then brush them with an artist fine hair paint brush. Lastly I roll a piece of scotch tape, pat it on my pants to make it a bit less sticky and then I pat it on the specimen to lift off any stubran crud.
Dec 31, 2020 12:05:06 #
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