Identify this bug?

[KrissyLeigh]

So I'm building my outdoor redfoot tort enclosure and our yard is infested with these... want to make sure it won't hurt my babies. I live in South Texas on the coast, which is a curious mix of tropical and desert - we literally have cactus growing on our beaches. Hopefully that helps with ID.

 

[wellington]

Can't help on the ID but maybe @tortadise can. I think he may be in and around the same area, I think. It sure is pretty though.

 

[cmacusa3]

https://www.google.com/search?q=jad..._AUICCgC&biw=768&bih=928#imgrc=gp7MncBDdTf6dM:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/162276

Looks similar to Jadera

 

[Maro2Bear]

Here you go, i think this is your red insect, Scentless Plant bug.

 

[maybeshoe]

Looks like the nymph stage of a jadera or red shouldered bug. When I lived in HI they came in through imported nursery plant/trees. Not bad for reptiles but they eat any sort of fruit. No fruit they may suck on stems.

 

[eric joranson]

Boxelder bugs,( Boisea trivittatus)...this is an immature stage. One of the less destructive pest to agriculture; but do some infrequent damage to some fruit trees. Like stink bugs they can emit a noxious spray when disturbed; but as bad as it smells I do not believe it is toxic to other animals.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hmm, i think the original posters bug looks more similar to Jadera vice the Boxelder

Here's the Boxelder.

 

[eric joranson]

the picture you show is a mature boxelder; this time of year the immature are emerging.

 

[Maro2Bear]

and here's some additional info on Jadera

 

[Maro2Bear]

Interesting...well,it's either Jadera or Boxelder!

Since the Jadera seems to be a nuisance pest in Texas, and OP from Texas, I was going with Jadera.

 

[eric joranson]

Interesting...well,it's either Jadera or Boxelder!

if you take into consideration the original post came from southern texas; I would lean toward boxelder; I believe (not sure) but the Jadera are native to Florida.

 

[eric joranson]

if you take into consideration the original post came from southern texas; I would lean toward boxelder; I believe (not sure) but the Jadera are native to Florida.

so they are in texas...(checking my entamology guides)......it could be either

 

[cmacusa3]

if you take into consideration the original post came from southern texas; I would lean toward boxelder; I believe (not sure) but the Jadera are native to Florida.

They live all over the US
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadera_haematoloma

 

[Semper Fi]

Sunday was 60 degrees here in N.Y....and they were all over the sunny side of my house......

 

[Eric Phillips]

I had these bad one year. Took a spray bottle of water, vinegar, and dish soap.....all gone

 

[KrissyLeigh]

Thanks so much y'all, I knew I could count on y'all! After researching box elder and jadera, I don't think they will bother my babies too much. The insects don't seem to be soil dwellers, so that's good. I was planning on having wood hides in there but after learning how they live on / in wood structures, I will use plastic / ceramic structures to minimize contact.

Y'all are the best!