Species Jadera haematoloma - Red-shouldered Bug

Goldenrain Tree Bug, Jadera Bug

Jadera haematoloma (Herrich-Schäffer 1847)

9.5-13.5 mm, brachypters usually 7-8 mm(1)

Adults (macropterous & brachypterous) and nymph:

e. US to Calif. to S. America / W. Indies - Map (2)(3)

Yards, gardens, riparian areas, and other areas in association with hostplants. Often found in large aggregations feeding on leaking tree sap, dead insects, or seeds that have fallen from trees overhead. Also forms aggregations in winter to hibernate, often in association with human residences.

Year-round in CA, TX, & FL, with peak numbers in May in central Florida. Hibernates as nymphs and adults in areas where winters are colder, with at least two and usually more broods through the growing season.

Adults and larvae tend to feed in groups, and favor developing seeds and fruits of their favored hosts, but will also suck sap from foliage, flowers, buds, or oozing stems. They feed on a variety of plants primarily in and related to the family Sapindaceae. Favorites include Balloonvine (Cardiospermum species) and Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria sp.), both in Sapindaceae, and they regularly use Soapberry (Sapindus sp.; Sapindaceae) and Maple/Boxelder (Acer sp.; Aceraceae). Additionally, reported on a variety of other plants, especially feeding on fruit, including Chinaberry (Melia azedarach; Meliaceae), Fig (Ficus spp.; Moraceae), Althaea (Malvaceae), Plum, Cherry, & Peach (Prunus sp.; Rosaceae), Apple (Malus sp.; Rosaceae), Grape (Vitis sp.; Vitaceae), Ash (Fraxinus sp.; Oleaceae), etc. Adults sometimes gather around human food leftovers and other smashed insects to feed as well.

When a single adult is found, it is usually fully winged. However, in areas where there are large congregations, many adults are brachypterous.(4)

Very similar to (and often found with) related Boisea spp. which have red lines on wing edges, and red median line on pronotum.

Tsai J.-F., Hsieh Y.-X., Rédei D. (2013) The soapberry bug, Jadera haematoloma (Insecta, Hemiptera, Rhopalidae): First Asian record, with a review of bionomics. ZooKeys 297: 1-41

Featured Creatures - Mead & Fasulo (2000-2017)(1)

Austin Bug Collection - Bugh (yyyy)(4)