Eastern Boxelder Bug

Eastern Boxelder Bug

Boisea trivittata

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
at Santiago

In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%

281 Verified sightings at Santiago
200 In all 5 parks From 2019 to 2026
April Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Eastern Boxelder Bug

Boisea trivittata, also called the eastern boxelder bug, box bug, or maple bug, is a species of true bug native to eastern North America. The western boxelder bug, Boisea rubrolineata, is a relative of this species and is native to western North America. Eastern boxelder bugs are found primarily on boxelder, other maples, and ash trees.

Trivittata is from the Latin tri (three) + vittata (banded). The adults are about 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long with a dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen, with dark red eyes; nymphs are bright red.

Eastern boxelder bugs feed almost entirely on the developing seeds of boxelder, maple, and ash trees. Eastern boxelder bugs feed, lay eggs and develop on boxelder trees, most commonly occurring on female trees as they produce seeds. Eastern boxelder bugs prefer seeds; however, they also suck leaves. They can be frequently observed on maples, as these trees provide them with seeds as well. Eastern boxelder bugs overwinter in plant debris or protected human-inhabited places and other suitable structures.

The eastern boxelder bug... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Zion National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~40%
2 Guadalupe Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~20%
3 Shenandoah National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
4 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
5 Cumbres de Monterrey National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
<5%

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Santiago 🇨🇱 Chile
~40%
2 Mendoza 🇦🇷 Argentina
~30%
3 Salt Lake City 🇺🇸 United States
~30%
4 Minneapolis [Saint Paul] 🇺🇸 United States
~20%
5 Baltimore 🇺🇸 United States
~20%
6 Calgary 🇨🇦 Canada
~20%
7 Toronto 🇨🇦 Canada
~20%
8 Montreal 🇨🇦 Canada
~10%
9 Detroit 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
10 Philadelphia 🇺🇸 United States
~10%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing an Eastern Boxelder Bug in Santiago?

Likely

About 40% of wildlife watchers report an Eastern Boxelder Bug sighting in Santiago on a given day, based on 281 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 2nd most-seen of the 173 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see an Eastern Boxelder Bug in Santiago?

February and April–May

In those months about 50% of wildlife watchers report an Eastern Boxelder Bug in Santiago on a given day, against about 20% in October, the lowest month.

What time of day is best to see an Eastern Boxelder Bug?

Between noon and 3 pm

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Eastern Boxelder Bug sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Santiago the best place to see an Eastern Boxelder Bug?

Yes

Of the 20 cities where we can rate Eastern Boxelder Bug sightings, Santiago has the highest daily chance: about 40%. Next come Mendoza (Argentina, about 30%) and Salt Lake City (United States, about 30%).

Where does the Eastern Boxelder Bug sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Eastern Boxelder Bug is recorded against all the insects logged in Santiago (281 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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