Oregon Department of Agriculture guides
  • Home
  • Guides
  • Posters
  • Contact ODA
Picture
Adult box elder bug
Picture
immature box elder bug

Boisea rubrolineata - Western box elder bug

Identification:  Adults are about 1/2 inch long (1.25cm). Oval-shaped black body with red or orange lines on their body and forewing. Immature stages have bright red bodies and are wingless. Are often found crawling or aggregating on the ground and range from a few mm to 1 cm in length. 

Notes: Native to western North America. 

Pest Status: Nuisance pest. Adults and nymphs feed on seeds of maple trees, but do not cause damage to tree. Populations get very large in spring and summer, but infestations are relatively short.

Management: Pesticide applications are not recommended, as populations are widespread. Exclusion via sealing of entry points (windows, doors) is recommended.
Picture
immature box elder bugs (Photo by Sidney Lam)
​
  • Home
  • Guides
  • Posters
  • Contact ODA