If not a Boxelder, then what is it? I thought I had an easy identification here. The evidence was ample: the size, color, and shape; finding the source in a single type of tree in the yard; and the huge wriggling cluster of them on and around that same tree. It all pointed to the Boxelder bug. They were making their way onto and inside a nearby house en masse. But I did think it odd that none of them had the distinctive markings on their backs that are so characteristic of the Boxelders. And usually the tree they are found nesting, breeding, and eating on were in the maple family (sometimes ash).
My first big clue was the homeowner identifying the tree for me. It was a Golden rain Tree. That evening it didn’t take much Googling to find out that they were not Boxelder bugs but a close cousin. The name of this insect is: (drum roll please) The Goldenrain Tree Bug! Who would have thought up such an original name? Having spent over 20 years in the pest control business, this was my first encounter with the Golden rain Tree bug, and I just had to find someone to share it with.
