Pest profile

Red-shouldered bug (Jadera bug)

Jadera haematoloma · Hemiptera: Rhopalidae[2]

Red-shouldered bugs gather in large colonies under goldenrain trees to feed on fallen seeds; they're a nuisance, not a plant pest.[1]

Red-shouldered bug, a black bug with red eyes and red shoulder edges, on yellow flowers
Red-shouldered bug, a black bug with red eyes and red shoulder edges, on yellow flowers. (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, mostly black or brownish-black, with red eyes, red shoulders and red abdomen edges.[1]
  • Nymphs are mostly bright red with brown legs and antennae.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Boxelder bugA different species in the same family that also gathers in large numbers in late summer and fall.[1]

Where it lives

It's reported from southeastern states west to Texas and California, several central states, and Hawaii; in Florida it's mainly on the peninsula.[1]

US map: public records from 26 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It prefers balloonvine but feeds heavily on goldenrain tree seeds, earning the name goldenrain tree bug.[1]

In Florida it's collected every month, peaking in May.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Children playing on infested lawns can get their clothes stained red by crushed bugs.[1]

Health risk

UF/IFAS mentions no health risk; the main complaint is red stains on clothes from crushed bugs.[1]

Control

Sanitation

Rake up the fallen seeds they feed on in lawns and play areas.[1]

Traps and physical control

A small group on a plant can be hand-collected; usually no control is needed.[1]

Common questions

What are the red and black bugs under my goldenrain tree?
Red-shouldered bugs, also called Jadera or goldenrain tree bugs.[1]
Do they damage plants?
There's no documentation that they're a plant pest of any consequence.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Scentless Plant Bugs, Jadera spp. (EENY-130).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN287 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Jadera haematoloma taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/127669 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.