Red and black bug infestation - Ask Extension
Please tell me if this bug infestation can harm my plants or cause other problems. The bugs mostly have been living on my shed and in leaf and other ...
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Red and black bug infestation #252234
Asked June 08, 2015, 11:06 AM EDT
Please tell me if this bug infestation can harm my plants or cause other problems. The bugs mostly have been living on my shed and in leaf and other litter from my large maple tree at the base of the shed. They just started staying on a young hosta plant next to the shed. Can you identify the bug? If potentially harmful any control measures to recommend ?
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
These look like boxelder bugs, which can congregate in large numbers.
They usually congregate to feed on boxelder trees, which are in the maple family and look somewhat similar, but the new growth has green twigs/stems.
They can move out into perennial plants, but are not typically harmful and don't usually need control.
Here is more information about them: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG%2010_2Boxelder_Bu...
cm
They usually congregate to feed on boxelder trees, which are in the maple family and look somewhat similar, but the new growth has green twigs/stems.
They can move out into perennial plants, but are not typically harmful and don't usually need control.
Here is more information about them: http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG%2010_2Boxelder_Bu...
cm
