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Photo#35226
Bug from Utah to ID - Melacoryphus lateralis

Bug from Utah to ID - Melacoryphus lateralis
Utah, USA
September 21, 2005
Had a trip to the National Parks in Utah and found this insect and would appreciate any info about it. Thanks.

Moved

We're thinking this is actually
Neacoryphus lateralis, in the Lygaeidae. Have posted a comment to Boris seeking confirmation.

 
I agree with the Balabans
I shot a western box elder bug today, and it looked considerably different than the insect in this post.

 
Ok, thanks Ron
Didn't hear from Boris and not sure how to contact him if he doesn't have autosubscribe turned on, but we'll go ahead and move this since you agree it's not a box elder bug.

What do these bugs do?
I estimate I have about 2000 on my house and tree in the back yard. I'm sure they do something... Does anyone know their habitat, habits, diet, sting? bite? How did I get so lucky to have that many?

 
They are looking for a sheltered place to overwinter, I expect.
All you did was move to a house where there is a large local population (perhaps your tree is a Boxelder). Most of the year you didn't notice them as you each went about your separate lives, and now your paths have crossed!
If you click on the top photo above, it will take you to the Western Boxelder Bug section of the guide (here), and the Info tab will take you to a page with a couple of links to read more about them. I'm sure you have the western species where you are, at least! Post some photos, if you have the technology. 2000 would be something to see!
Finally, they will not bite or sting you, but hibernating bugs like this can become a nuisance, and the usual advice is to seal any cracks where they might enter your home, and vacuum them up inside your house (this will, however, probably kill them, which we prefer not to advocate on this site).

 
boxelder bugs in Sherwood, OR - over 2,000
Check out ID Requests. I posted the best photo I could get, there.
Thanks so much for your help.
I think I'll do... nothing... outside... except vaccum up the ones that get inside. Found a site that says I should confirm the type of tree in our back yard. If it's female... these guys are here to stay! Oh Hooray! As I noted though in the ID Request, I may not want to be here for Spring when their thousands of babies hatch... Hmmm... I wonder if they fly away or stay close? I wonder if we should remove the shingle siding on our house. I'm pretty sure that's where they go at night. I tapped on a loose shingle today and 4-5 fell out. Oh well... Thanks again, I know I'll use this site again. You're AWESOME!!!

 
Thanks for the picture
I moved it to the images page for this species. You can always track down where your images are on this site, by the way, by clicking on your name and then "Images submitted by this contributor." Only you or an editor can move your images. If in doubt, ID Request is a good place to post.
I'm just guessing, but I should think there'd be a few less of these in the spring when they emerge, as I doubt they'd have 100% overwintering success. They'll disperse before they start laying eggs.
I'm moving this shot to the guide, too, as a new record for Utah and to preserve the discussion.

 
Update:
It seems like this one may be the eastern species as it lacks the red wing veination of our other definitely western ones. See the discussion on this image (below).
Glenda, if your bugs are still about, perhaps you can check to make sure those red veins are consistent on the western species?


 
boxelder bugs in Sherwood, OR - over 2,000
Thank you for this information and your direction. I'm not sure how to post a photo other than "ID Request" so I'll try sending it to you. This is a photo of only 1 of the windows on the south (warmest) side of our house. It has shingle type siding and a deck that stays pretty warm. There is a maple-type tree less than 25' away from the house with branches that almost touch the deck.
Thanks again!

I think it's this either this one:
Western Boxelder Bug - Boisea rubrolineatus



or possibly Eastern Boxelder Bug - Boisea trivittatus - I don't know whether their ranges overlap, or where one stops and the other begins. They look the same to me!


 
Western Boxelder Bug
Thank you for the post and the ID. I think it will be the western, so that is what I'll go with. Thanks again.

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