Focus Stacked Image of a Boxelder
Dec 29, 2020 10:59:46 #
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 29, 2020 11:12:09 #
lnl
Loc: SWFL
Another incredible image. I feel as if I’m looking at him in 3-D. You surely do a great job on these (otherwise ugly) bugs!
Dec 29, 2020 11:13:39 #
Dec 29, 2020 11:35:44 #
lnl wrote:
Another incredible image. I feel as if I’m looking at him in 3-D. You surely do a great job on these (otherwise ugly) bugs!
Thanks ever so much for viewing and for the reply.
Dec 29, 2020 11:35:57 #
Dec 29, 2020 11:41:19 #
A terrific image...these pretty bugs are very common in our area as are the Box Elder trees. 
Dec 29, 2020 11:44:54 #
jederick wrote:
A terrific image...these pretty bugs are very common in our area as are the Box Elder trees.
Thanks, the two tend to go together.
Dec 29, 2020 11:49:10 #
Really cool - have seen thousands of them in my life but
not quite like that! Wonderful…. again! Your skills AMAZE me!
not quite like that! Wonderful…. again! Your skills AMAZE me!
Dec 29, 2020 13:45:37 #
Dec 29, 2020 13:51:24 #
Dec 29, 2020 14:30:53 #
Dr J wrote:
Really cool - have seen thousands of them in my life but
not quite like that! Wonderful…. again! Your skills AMAZE me!
not quite like that! Wonderful…. again! Your skills AMAZE me!
Thanks ever so much.
Dec 29, 2020 14:31:37 #
kpmac wrote:
The double download is awesome.
Thanks, Kpmac. I imagine that you fellows have plenty of them down your way.
Dec 29, 2020 14:31:54 #
Dec 30, 2020 08:07:04 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is my preserved Boxelder Bug that I staged fo... (show quote)
Excellent job, sippy!!
Dec 30, 2020 08:32:34 #
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