Golden Rain Tree Bug: Appearance, Territory, Damage and Life Cycle

Latin Name: Jadera Haematoloma

Appearance: The Jadera insect, red shouldered bug, and soapberry bug are all names for the golden rain tree bug. The thorax, antennae, beak, and legs of both species’ nymphs (immature stages) are generally brilliant red, with the thorax, antennae, beak, and legs being black to brown. They get black patterns and wing pads as they age.

Hosts Plants: Golden rain tree bugs love the following plants in southern Florida: golden rain tree, chinaberry, and balloon vine. Golden rain tree bugs, which visit homes in the fall to locate overwintering places, can be a nuisance. Amid addition, they spend the winter in plant waste. Females bury their eggs in the soil beneath a golden rain tree the next spring. Tiny nymphs hatch two weeks later and begin feeding, growing, and maturing into adults in July.

Territory: It is a native of the United States. Jadera antica and J. Haematoloma are the two species of golden rain tree bugs found in Florida, however only the latter is common. The golden rain tree insect is distributed across the Florida peninsula, but appears to be sparse in the panhandle.

Damage Insect Cause: The golden rain tree bug seldom causes major harm, although hundreds of these insects can be spotted congregating on the grass, host trees, or neighboring structures. They may produce spots on walls or garments if they make their way inside houses.

Life History and Habits: The eggs of the golden rain tree insect are roughly oval in form. Females bury their eggs in the soil beneath a golden rain tree the next spring. Tiny nymphs hatch two weeks later and begin feeding, growing, and maturing into adults in July. Females then lay eggs, which hatch into a second generation, which develops and overwinters.