Soapberry Bugs

Identification

• Soapberry bugs can be identified and distinguished by genus. All soapberry bugs are between 7 and 12 millimeters long and have two plates beneath their heads. In Leptocoris and Boisea genus, the plates are short, with longer plates in Jadera. To distinguish Leptocoris and Boisea, look at their thorax. In Leptocoris, the thorax is shorter and wider, while in Boisea the thorax is longer and thinner. Because there are many different species of soapberry bugs and each species has a different appearances, identification at the species level is more difficult. Leptocoris vicinus are red with a black "V" shape on their backs, while Leptocoris hexophthalma may be green, red or black. Boisea fulcrata are smaller and have orange lines, while Jadera haematoloma are mostly black but red near their heads. Because there are many species, identification can be tricky.

Geography

• Soapberry bug locations vary by species, but they can be found across the world. The Leptocoris genus live in Southern Asia, Oceania and Africa. In the United States, the Jadera and Boisea genus can be found. It is believed that soapberry bugs originated in Africa, where the majority live.

Feeding Habits

• Soapberry bugs feed on plants in the soapberry family. They eat the seeds of maples, boxelders, soapnuts and jacket plums. To eat, they insert their beaks into fruit and pull out seeds. They then crack the seed and insert digestive juices into it. Once it has been digested by their juices, they suck up the seed and eat it. An interesting fact about soapberry feeding is that their beaks have adapted and grown to lengths that will help them to easily reach the seeds they desire. Soapberry bugs that prefer smaller fruits have shorter beaks, while those that prefer larger fruits have larger beaks. Because of this adaptation, they are widely studied by scientists interested in evolution.

Predator Protection

• If you disturb a soapberry bug by accident, you will know it immediately because of the smell. When a soapberry bug is disrupted, it ejects a smelly substance to keep predators at bay. The substance also makes soapberry bugs taste bad to predators, thus keeping soapberry bugs safe. Their bright colors also warn predators that they are not desirable to eat.

Mating

• When soapberry bugs mate, they stay connected for up to 11 days. They may even stay near one another until the female lays eggs. The male will guard the female to protect her from other suitors and then they will frequently copulate shortly after the female lays her eggs. The purpose of the lengthy copulation is that the male that is inseminating the female can block other males from trying to inseminating her.

Problems

• Soapberry bugs typically do not cause problems for humans. But they do tend to congregate in large groups on structures around houses and yards, which may be stained by their waste. They sometimes eat foliage and fruit from gardens and orchards and can damage them. Their damage is not severe enough for them to be considered a pest.