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From: billb@teklabs.UUCP (Bill Beran)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Red and Black Beetles
Message-ID: <2744@teklabs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-Feb-84 14:41:27 EST
Article-I.D.: teklabs.2744
Posted: Mon Feb 27 14:41:27 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 29-Feb-84 07:40:25 EST
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 24



      Kenn, those bugs sound to me like boxelder bugs. I remember them 
from my youth in Nebraska and from a period of time when I lived in
Maryland. I don't recall ever seeing them since I've lived in Oregon.
      Your description is right on as I remember them, especially the
part about them seeking the cracks in doors and windows. I think this
is an attraction to warmth. They flatten themselves into the tiniest
cracks, particularly window sills, where they promptly die and require
sweeping out every time you open the window.
      As far as I know, they are relatively innocuous and don't do any
damage that I can remember. I do have a hazy recollection that they
are attracted by some tree or shrub. Maybe boxelder tress or hedges?
I seem to remember that my dad associated them with our cottonwood
trees or possibly a poplar windbreak.
      I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else on the net can
confirm these recollections or possibly refute them. Hope this is of
some help.
                                       Bill Beran
                                       Imaging Research Lab
                                       Tektronix