An Eruption of Field Elder Insects?


An Eruption of Field Elder Insects?
Grownup boxelder computer virus, Pittsburgh, 2017 (photograph from Wikimedia Commons)

24 July 2024

July is unquestionably Worm Season!

The day gone by Mike Fialkovich despatched information that it’s a large yr for boxelder insects (Boisea trivittata) the place he works in New Stanton, PA.

Large numbers of field elder computer virus nymphs, New Stanton, 23 July 2024 (photograph through Mike Fialkovich)

There was once a large accumulating of Boxelder Insects at my place of job nowadays. Maximum have been nymphs however a couple of adults have been provide. I spotted the adults have been a large number of lately at the facet of the construction however nowadays the numbers of nymphs have been spectacular.

— e mail from Mike Fialkovich, 23 July 2024

I used to be a bit of shocked to look the swarms on non-native winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus).

Boxelder computer virus nymphs on winged burning bush, New Stanton, 23 July 2024 (photograph through Mike Fialkovich)

As their identify suggests, the boxelder insects’ host plant is the field elder tree (Acer negundo), which is each local and considerable.

Huge field elder tree alongside the path at Duck Hole, Pittsburgh, July 2021 (photograph through Kate St. John)
Field elder leaves, Sept 2020 (photograph through Kate St. John)

Quickly those nymphs will develop into adults that seem like this … and the computer virus pictured at best.

Grownup boxelder computer virus, Brooklyn, 2024 (photograph from Wikimedia Commons)

Have you ever observed a swarm of boxelder insects in recent times? If this is the case, go away a remark and inform me the place.

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