This has been the case, and where a few years ago the Box elder Bug was an unknown insect it is now found in large and increasing numbers. Still this great increase would not be noticed, or only be a few more observing persons, if this insect did not possess the peculiar habit of crowding together late in autumn, preliminary to searching for suitable quarters to hibernate. As soon as the foliage of the box elder becomes dry and discolored, or, in other words, as soon as the leaves of the tree no longer offer liquid sap to the insects, these desert such useless sources of food, and descend to the limbs and trunks of the trees. Here they gather in large numbers, perhaps to hold indignation meetings about the shortness of summer and food supplies! At all events they crowd together, old and young, as if waiting for better times. Whenever the sun shines and warms one side of the trunk, or the sidewalk below the tree, there these bugs are sure to congregate. Later, and when the leaves commence to drop, all bugs have reached their full size, and are winged. But they do not use their wings, and are very sensible not to do so, because they assuredly would be blown about the adjoining prairies and would perish. They now search for winter quarters. If the sidewalk under the box elder trees, their old homes, should be a wooden one, most of the bugs will find shelter under it. If no such shelters are found, however, the insects enter barns and stables, and are not slow to enter even houses, much to the disgust of the ladies of the household. The bugs are decidedly stupid, at least they cannot be scared away, but have to be forcibly ejected. This habit of crowding into dwellings has been the cause of many complaints.
Excerpted from Sixth Annual Report of the Entomologist of the State Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota to the Governor for the Year 1900 by Otto Lugger. Published by McGill-Warner Co., St. Paul, Minnesota, 1900.