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Susan1975 Wheaton, IL Jun 23, 2013

Hi...I need help in identifying a new bug that I noticed in my mulched bed. I live in the Chicago area and last fall had a huge bed cut into my yard covered in about 3-4 inches of mulch.

I was outside weeding today (blasted maple whirlybirds...I could start a forest!) and saw a bunch of these cruising through the mulch...I mean a lot of them. Then went outside to water my planters and saw one on the siding.

It's not a great pic, but I think it's clear enough for identification purposes...I hope! Can you help?

Thanks in advance...

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Susan1975 Wheaton, IL Jun 23, 2013

Here's another pic...

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jun 23, 2013

These are nymphs of boxelder bugs, common nuisance pests. See http://urbanext.illinois.edu/bugreview/boxelder.cfm for images of adults.

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Susan1975 Wheaton, IL Jun 23, 2013

So should I call the exterminator...or will they leave since I have no box elders in my property? Seems like they are just a nuisance more than anything...

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jun 23, 2013

No need to call an exterminator for these - they do no real damage to speak of (they will feed on seeds of trees in the maple family other than boxelder), and should any get indoors, simply vacuum them up and dispose in the trash.

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Susan1975 Wheaton, IL Jun 23, 2013

Thank you! My neighbor has a huge maple which just dropped all the whirly birds :) in my yard! Must be what they're after...

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