“Unknown insect – Jadera haematoloma” by Eugene Zelenko is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
If you’re like most people, the term or phrase “Jadera haematoloma” means nothing. There’s even a chance you’ve never even heard it before. As with most insects, the bug connected with this term is known more often by its common name and not the scientific name. Instead, most people refer to this bug as either the red-shouldered bug, the goldenrain tree bug or simply the Jadera bug. Do any of these names ring a bell?
Jadera haematoloma: What You Need to Know About This Bug
Found across the United States, the Jadera bug is easily identifiable and quite common. But because of this name confusion, we thought it would be a good time to dive deeper into the facts about this species, to understand a bit more. Let’s explore together.
First, What Do They Look Like?
As you can see in the photo above, one of the more obvious characteristics of the Jadera bug is its bold colors. Its body is a dark black color with distinctive lateral red markings along its head and pronotum; its legs and antennae are also black. Its bold red eyes also set it apart from other insects of similar color. Nymphs, on the other hand, are mostly red with a black pronotum and wings.
Another distinguishing characteristic is its small size. The Jadera Bug ranges from 10 to 14 millimeters in length and is about three to four millimeters wide. Sometimes confused with boxelder bugs, other short-winged bugs of the same family as Jadera bugs can be smaller, typically ranging from seven to eight millimeters long.
Where Can Jadera Bugs Be Found and What Do They Eat?
Jadera Bugs can be found year-round in states like California, Texas, Hawaii and Florida due to the warm climate. Similarly, they can also be found in the Caribbean, Mexico and from Central America to Columbia and Venezuela.
In locations where winter months are colder, both adults and nymphs hibernate. In these colder states, this species typically emerges in large numbers in April and May. Regardless of the time of year, the Jadera Bug is usually found in large concentrations.
These distinctive insects are found mostly in yards, gardens and other areas with lush vegetation. Unlike other insects, though, they don’t cause any harm to your plants or vegetables. Instead, Jadera bugs feed on leaking tree sap, dead insects or fallen seeds from nearby trees. They feed on the sap from foliage, flowers and buds, and as a matter of fact, are actually quite beneficial to your backyard garden.
The Jadera bug’s favorite food, though, is the seed of the goldenrain tree, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the goldenrain tree bug.
How Do I Get Rid of Them?
Like we mentioned above, this bug causes no harm to your lawn, backyard garden or your family. And in most cases, removal or control isn’t necessary. Still, though, some owners prefer them gone since they can be a nuisance.
Similar to other insects and bugs, removing the Jadera bug’s food source is a sure-fire way to reduce the number of bugs on your property. For Jadera bugs, try raking your grass to remove the fallen seeds the bugs are feeding on. The best time to do this is during the fall months. If you find Jadera bugs inside your home—which may happen on rare occasions—simply vacuum them up to remove them.
One of the best ways to prevent the Jadera bug from making its home in your backyard is to simply remove the trees or plants that are attracting it.
ABC Is The Expert on Pests
The warm, humid climate in the southern states offers the perfect habitat for Jadera bugs and many other lawn-dwelling insects. If you are having trouble identifying a bug in your yard, or if you wonder which bugs are pests and which are harmless, the experts at ABC Home & Commercial can help. Our highly-trained and knowledgeable technicians can do a thorough assessment of your outdoor areas to determine what’s destroying your grass or which insects might be munching on your plants. After getting a better understanding of your problem, we can propose a treatment plan to protect your lawn, while safeguarding your pets and your family, so that your yard can stay healthy and green.