Definitely Box Elder Bugs. If you have any box elders or maples nearby,
you can count on them in spring and then again in fall. They don't hurt
the trees, and are simply a nuisance if found indoors. Population
numbers vary yearly depending mostly on weather conditions.

SC

John McGaw wrote:
Marilyn wrote:
It look like a boxelder bug. See:

http://www.cirrusimage.com/bugs_box_elder.htm

Marilyn

"rcas12" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,

Can anybody help me to identify these insects in my garden? They
usually hide near the wall, get out when it's warm and like to
cluster in large numbers. I don't know whether I should get rid
of them. BTW, I'm in SE Michigan and it's spring time now

http://picasaweb.google.com/rcas12/I...87941691744530

http://picasaweb.google.com/rcas12/I...87941691744546


Thanks.




Yep. Sure looks like an Eastern Boxelder Bug (Leptocoris trivittatus)
although there are some others that follow that general pattern of
body shape and black/red coloration such as the various milkweed
bugs.

I don't recall ever seeing large congregations of boxelder bugs in
the early spring although I guess it could be a mass of them which
overwintered and which was which tempted out by the warm weather from
some sheltered location. Sometimes later in the year I've found
masses of them carpeting the ground -- really rather freakish
looking.