Box Elder Bug on a Pine Tree

Steve and I took a break half way through our ride and I wandered around looking for interesting things to take pictures of. I found a beautiful pine tree and when I took a closer look, I discovered that one side was teeming with thousands of emerging adult Box Elder bugs! They were gathered in a sort of river from the base of the trunk and up the tree as far as I could see! It was a truly incredible sight! Here's the picture I liked the most! :)

Boxelder Bugs are native to North America and got their name from the tree sap they most like to eat, that of the Box Elder tree. However, they also love Maple trees and also Oak trees, which is the predominent tree that we have growing on our property. These bugs are common house pests, and find their way through any cracks in windows and doors, and then congregate on the walls and ceilings during the colder winter months. When disturbed, they release a "pine"-like odor, and also smell that way when squished! (We call them Pine Sap Bugs!)

If you would like to know more about these bugs, Wiki has a nice page here: Wiki: Boxelder Bug