Fauna
Insect

Red-shouldered Bug

Jadera haematoloma

Also known as Goldenrain-tree Bug, Soapberry Bug

Red-shouldered bugs gather in conspicuous communal aggregations on sunny tree trunks, walls, and ground litter near their host plants. Nymphs display vibrant red abdomens before developing charcoal wings trimmed with vivid reddish-orange shoulder margins and bright red eyes. Evolutionary biologists famously study them as an example of rapid contemporary evolution, as their beak lengths shifted within decades to exploit introduced ornamental goldenrain trees.

HerbivorousGregariousTrue Bug
Red-shouldered Bug reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGoldenrain Tree Seeds, Balloon Vine Seeds, Western Soapberry Seeds
Predators
  • Spiders
  • Insectivorous Birds
  • Assassin Bugs
ThreatsInsecticide spraying in landscaped areas and host tree removal
HabitatsUrban landscapes, parks, woodlands, and subtropical forest edges
Life span2–4 months as adults; up to 1 year overall
Classification
  1. OrderHemiptera
  2. FamilyRhopalidae
  3. GenusJadera
  4. SpeciesJadera haematoloma
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Inspect Host Trees: Check the ground and trunks around goldenrain trees in late summer to find large feeding clusters.
  • Do Not Crush: Avoid swatting them indoors, as their defensive secretions can leave behind an unpleasant odor and red stains.
Related species
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