Red Bugs in Missouri

Red Mites

• Red mites or chiggers are often referred to in Missouri as red bugs. This is because they are bright red in color, and also because their bite leaves bright red welts on the skin. They are quite common during the summer and their bite can cause extreme discomfort. These mites are not classified as insects, but are in the arachnid family and resemble ticks, although they are much smaller. Like ticks they latch on to the skin when they bite.
  
  

Large Milkweed Bug

• The milkweed bug has also been found in Missouri. The adult milkweed bug is black and orange in color, but there have been multiple sightings in Missouri of younger milkweed bugs that have deep red coloring. These younger bugs have an ant-like appearance. The species gets its name from the milkweed plant on which it feeds.
  
  

Red Stink Bugs

• Both the red-banded stink bug and the red-shouldered stink bug have been found in Missouri. These bugs have a deep red coloring around the outside of the body and red spots in the center. The red-banded stink bug has been of particular interest to the farming community in recent years. It feeds on soybean crops and has begun appearing in larger numbers, particularly in the warmer climate of southeastern Missouri.
  
  

Boxelder Bugs

• The Boxelder bug is another very common red bug that is found across the state of Missouri. This is a black bug with extensive red markings on the back and around the edge of the body. The Boxelder bug is essentially harmless to humans, but can be quite an annoying pest as it may swarm on houses by the thousands.